Rodney Atkins has filed for divorce from his wife Tammy Jo Atkins, following allegations of domestic violence that resulted in Rodney’s arrest.
Celebrity news website TMZ reported yesterday (Dec. 14) that court documents filed in Williamson County reveal that Tammy called 911 at 7:47 AM on Nov. 21 to report that her husband had been drinking and tried to smother her with a pillow. She also claims that Rodney grabbed her by the face and threw her down the hallway, and that the assault took place in front of their son Elijah. Rodney was arrested and later released on $2,500 bail.
Rodney’s attorney Rose Palermo says Tammy’s allegations are completely false, and released this statement today:
“This was an unfortunate verbal dispute between Mr. and Mrs. Atkins within hearing range of their child, and when Mr. Atkins realized their child was in hearing range of the argument his first priority became getting out of the earshot of the child, and that is when Mrs. Atkins called the police and gave them her version of the argument, which is completely untrue. Mr. Atkins realized that he would have no recourse but to file a complaint for divorce. Since filing the complaint for divorce he has exercised substantial parenting time with the parties’ son and he will continue to do so while the divorce is pending. The criminal complaint does not allege that any harm came to the child or Mrs. Atkins and as a result the Court has not prohibited Mr. Atkins from having parenting time with his son.”
Rodney has upcoming tour dates scheduled for Lowell, MA (Dec. 15); Buffalo, NY (Dec. 16); and Lewiston, ME (Dec. 17). His attorney’s statement also states that the singer plans to spend time with his child over the holidays and thanks his fans for standing by him. Atkins will usher in 2012 by performing on Fox’s “American Country New Year’s Eve Live” special December 31 with Lauren Alaina.
