'Modern Family' Star Ariel Winter Removed from Home After Parental Abuse Allegations (REPORT & VIDEO)

Posted November 7, 2012, 5:41 pm   •   by Rachel Levy   •   2 comments

UPDATE 3:53 p.m. PST: Ariel Winter's brother, Jimmy Workman, said the allegations of physical and emotional abuse are untrue, and although Winter lives with her estranged sister Shanelle Gray, the Modern Family star does not communicate with the rest of her family, according to a report by Entertainment Tonight.

Workman also defends their mother Crystal Workman against Gray's false allegations, saying the young actress's mother "does everything for Winter." Still, Shanelle has filed for legal guardianship of Winter, claiming in court documents that Winter was physically and emotionally abused.

Ariel Winter may be part of the fun-loving, quirky clan on Modern Family, but her own family ties may not be quite as strong.

Due to allegations that Winter's mother Crystal Workman has physically and emotionally abused the actress,  a judge has removed the 14-year-old from her California home, according to TMZ.

During a guardianship hearing on October 3, abuse claims were so serious that the judge ordered Winter’s sister, Shanelle Workman – who also allegedly suffered from similar abuse -- to be the guardian of the Modern Family star, says TMZ; her mother was given a restraining order of 100 yards.

Winter’s older sister has lived in foster care for over two years, and has not lived with her mother since the Department of Children and Family Services removed her from her home some two decades ago.

Former Criminal Prosecutor Loni Coombs weighs in on the case and what it means for Winter’s future in The Daily Buzz video above.