Finley files for divorce after wife’s arrest

Deepa Bharath

NEWPORT COAST -- Former Angels pitcher Chuck Finley filed for divorce

from actress wife Tawny Kitaen Finley days after she was arrested on

charges of beating and scratching him after an altercation at an Irvine

restaurant.

Finley, 39, filed divorce papers April 4 -- three days after the

altercation -- at the Orange County Superior Court in Orange, asking the

court to dissolve their four-year marriage based on “irreconcilable

differences.”

Kitaen Finley faces arraignment April 29 on two domestic violence

charges. Police responded to a 911 hang-up call at the couple’s Newport

Coast home the night of April 1. Officials said they found cuts and

bruises on Finley’s arms and face that they believe were caused by his

wife.

Kitaen Finley reportedly got into an argument with her husband as they

drove home from dinner, hurt him with her high-heeled shoes, scratched

him on the face and pulled his ear, police officials said.

Court documents show Finley is seeking legal custody of their two

children, ages 9 and 4.

In a statement attached with the court filing, Finley said he believed

his wife “presents a significant and substantial risk to the health and

safety of our children.”

He said Kitaen Finley was addicted to prescription drugs and that he

discovered “various knives” under the bed in their master bedroom after

she was arrested.

“I’m fearful,” he said, “that [Kitaen Finley], who has in her past

attempted suicide, will harm others, including me or including our

children, unless restrained from being around me or around our children.”

Finley has also asked that pending further court order, Kitaen Finley

be ordered to remain at least 100 yards away from him and their children.

Kitaen Finley faces a year in prison and a $6,000 fine if convicted of

the charges.

In a separate statement, Kitaen Finley acknowledged she has been

addicted to prescription medications for depression and migraine

headaches over the past two years. She said she voluntarily checked into

a 30-day rehabilitation treatment program last week.

“I’m seeking treatment for the issue so I can be the healthiest and

best mother possible to my two daughters, who mean the world to me,” she

said in her statement.