Production of ABC's 'Wife Swap' halted after dad arrested for child abuse - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

wolf paws · 08-18-2005, 10:37 PM

On March 22, the production of an upcoming episode of ABC's Wife Swap reality show came to a halt when the film crew turned in the father of one of the participating families for suspected child abuse. Yanni Panagiotakis, 38, a Nashville restauranteur, was alleged to have struck his 13-year-old daughter in the face during filming. He was later charged with domestic assault and freed Wednesday morning on $1,000 bail.

As reported by the Nashville Tennessean, Yanni was drving his daughter to a friend's house in one car, while a four-person camera crew followed in another car. When the Wife Swap crew arrived, it noticed that the daughter had "obvious injuries" to her nose and cheek. According to police, she then told the crew that her father had struck her several times in the face with his fist for forgetting to bring her coat.

After talking to the girl, the Wife Swap crew took the girl to a local doctor's office for treatment and to a hospital for X-rays. The Tennessean reported that a police affidavit said the girl had a ''busted'' and bruised nose and a bruised and swollen right check. When she was released from the hospital, the crew moved the girl and her 9-year-old brother to a hotel, where they were joined by a representative from the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.

At the same time, production of the other part of the episode, which paired Yanni's wife Dina (who co-owns the family restaurant with her husband) with a family in California, was halted, and Dina returned to Nashville. According to its producers, production of the Wife Swap episode will be abandoned.

Ireneparalegal · 08-18-2005, 10:46 PM

Hoooooooray for heroes!!!!!! Children must come first!!!!

Brent88 · 08-18-2005, 11:32 PM

That was posted here a LONG time ago...

Melonhead00 · 08-18-2005, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent88

That was posted here a LONG time ago...

Agreed. This was old news...but it's still good news

wolf paws · 08-19-2005, 07:58 AM

I couldn't remember. Sorry. It's been a LONG time since not hearing anything on Wife Swap, so I thought that was the latest fresh news about it, but guess not.

Brent88 · 08-19-2005, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf paws

I couldn't remember. Sorry. It's been a LONG time since not hearing anything on Wife Swap, so I thought that was the latest fresh news about it, but guess not.

It premieres September 12th on ABC... will air Mondays before Football through Christmas.

Mikado · 08-19-2005, 11:56 AM

the whole premise of wife swap makes me uncomfortable to begin with

08-18-2005, 10:37 PM	#1
wolf paws college student Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 04, 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 235	Production of ABC's 'Wife Swap' halted after dad arrested for child abuse On March 22, the production of an upcoming episode of ABC's Wife Swap reality show came to a halt when the film crew turned in the father of one of the participating families for suspected child abuse. Yanni Panagiotakis, 38, a Nashville restauranteur, was alleged to have struck his 13-year-old daughter in the face during filming. He was later charged with domestic assault and freed Wednesday morning on $1,000 bail. As reported by the Nashville Tennessean, Yanni was drving his daughter to a friend's house in one car, while a four-person camera crew followed in another car. When the Wife Swap crew arrived, it noticed that the daughter had "obvious injuries" to her nose and cheek. According to police, she then told the crew that her father had struck her several times in the face with his fist for forgetting to bring her coat. After talking to the girl, the Wife Swap crew took the girl to a local doctor's office for treatment and to a hospital for X-rays. The Tennessean reported that a police affidavit said the girl had a ''busted'' and bruised nose and a bruised and swollen right check. When she was released from the hospital, the crew moved the girl and her 9-year-old brother to a hotel, where they were joined by a representative from the Tennessee Department of Children's Services. At the same time, production of the other part of the episode, which paired Yanni's wife Dina (who co-owns the family restaurant with her husband) with a family in California, was halted, and Dina returned to Nashville. According to its producers, production of the Wife Swap episode will be abandoned.

08-18-2005, 10:46 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Hoooooooray for heroes!!!!!! Children must come first!!!!
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

08-18-2005, 11:32 PM	#3
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	That was posted here a LONG time ago...
	__________________ Brent

08-19-2005, 07:58 AM	#5
wolf paws college student Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 04, 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 235	I couldn't remember. Sorry. It's been a LONG time since not hearing anything on Wife Swap, so I thought that was the latest fresh news about it, but guess not.

08-19-2005, 11:56 AM	#7
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	the whole premise of wife swap makes me uncomfortable to begin with