Modern Family’s Ariel Winter removed from home after abuse allegations against her mother
Ariel Winter may have a pair of loving (albeit rather quirky) on-screen parents on ABC’s Modern Family, but unfortunately the same cannot be said for her real life. The 14-year-old actress has been removed from her home in the wake of alleged emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her mother, and she is in the custody of her older sister.
According to TMZ, a guardianship hearing was held last month in which a judge determined the allegations that Ariel was being physically and emotionally abused by her mother Chrisoula (aka Crystal) Workman were substantial enough to remove her from her parents’ home and place her under the supervision of her older sister Shanelle Gray. (See photos of Ariel and her mother together HERE)
UPDATE – Here is the actual description of abuse from the Petition for Appointment of Guardian for Minor:
Minor Ariel W Workman has been the victim of on-going physical abuse (slapping, hitting, pushing) and emotional abuse (vile name calling, personal insults about minor and minor’s weight, attempts to “sexualize” minor, deprivation of food, etc) for an extended period of time by the minor’s mother, Chrisoula Workman. Glenn Workman, father of minor is estranged and incapable of properly caring for minor. Guardianship with minor adult sister, Shanelle Gray, is necessary to protect minor and prevent further physical and emotional abuse. Guardianship of the estate is necessary because the minor’s mother receives checks for the minor’s work on the television show “Modern Family” and mother also has control of the minor’s Coogan Account. Prospective guardian requests that the mother be directed to not make any withdrawals from such accounts and that all checks be delivered to the guardian for deposit in the blocked account to be established at Bank of America.
After doing some research, TMZ also found out that Shanelle (seen with Ariel in the photo above) suffered similar abuse to that alleged by her younger sister. Nearly 20 years ago, the Department of Children and Family Services removed Shanelle from her parents’ home and placed her into foster care, where she remained for two years. Shanelle never returned to her parents’ home.
For now, Ariel’s mother has been ordered to stay 100 yards away from her at all times, and she will remain with Shanelle. A second hearing is scheduled for November 20 when a more permanent situation will be established.
Earlier this morning, Radar Online published an article claiming Ariel was seeking legal emancipation from her parents so that she could live with her 17-year-old boyfriend, Cameron Palatas, but according to TMZ there is no truth to the report.
^ Ariel Winter (left) as Alex Dunphy along with her Modern Family older sister Haley Dunphy, played by Sarah Hyland.
Top photo: Jen Lowery / Splash News
