Amber Portwood, 20, was charged after a seven-week investigation that was brought on by footage captured during the taping of the show.

Anderson police Detective Mitch Carroll said Portwood struck Gary Shirley, 24, the father of her 2-year-old daughter, several times.

"On Aug. 14, 2009, … Portwood shoved Shirley against a wall, slapped him on the face and choked him," Carroll said. "The incident was witnessed by the couple's 1-year-old child, who sat in a child seat on a nearby bed."

Carroll detailed other incidents, from June and July 2010, in which Shirley was slapped, punched and kicked, he said.

The felony charges stemmed from incidents that happened in the presence of the child. If convicted, Portwood could receive up to three years in jail and fines of up to $10,000.

Footage of Portwood's violent outbursts were shown on "The Today Show" in October.