Rodney Atkins’ Domestic Assault Charge Cleared

Wednesday morning (Feb. 8), a judge in Williamson County, Tenn., ruled that Rodney Atkins' Nov. 21 domestic assault misdemeanor charge has been officially retired and will be expunged from his record, The Tennessean reports. The decision was made after Rodney voluntarily underwent court ordered anger management, alcohol and drug use assessments, passing each test.

"I am so thankful for all those that chose to withhold judgment while keeping my family and I in their prayers," the 'Take a Back Road' singer told the newspaper in an exclusive statement. "God Bless. Onward and upward."

According to court documents filed in Williamson County, the singer's soon-to-be-ex-wife, Tammy Jo, called the police on the morning of Nov. 21, alleging an alcohol-fueled night of fighting resulted in Rodney attempting to smother her with a pillow. She also claimed her husband grabbed her by the face and threw her down a hallway in front of their 10-year-old son, Elijah. Rodney was subsequently arrested, and released on $2,500 bail.

"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," Rodney's lawyer, Rose Palermo, writes in a statement given to The Boot. "That is when Mrs. Atkins called the police and gave them her version of the argument, which is completely untrue. Mr. Atkins realized 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."

Following the arrest, the Tennessee native filed for divorce from his wife of nearly 13 years. As of now, the two share custody of Elijah.

Rodney is scheduled to leave for his first USO tour this Friday (Feb. 10).