Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend refutes report that the ‘great mom’ ‘gave up her daughter’

Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend is sticking up for the actress and mom, following a report that she “gave up her daughter.” Brian Hickerson, who was spotted with the former “Nashville” star in August, told Access, contrary to an Us Weekly report, Panettiere is spending time with 4-year-old daughter Kaya, whose dad is the celeb’s ex, boxer Wladimir Klitschko.

“Hayden is actually on a family vacation right now with her daughter and the Champ, so don’t believe everything you read,” Hickerson told the entertainment outlet in a story that published Wednesday. “She’s a great mom.” Us published a story Wednesday citing an unnamed source who said Panettiere “hasn’t had much time” with her daughter.

“The 4-year-old has been living with the heavyweight champion boxer, 42, in his native Ukraine,” the tabloid reported. “He’s currently raising her with the help of his mother.”