Modern Family star Ariel Winter removed from home after allegations of abuse

Her TV family may seem perfect but the same cannot be said for young Ariel Winter who plays Alex on the hit television show ‘Modern Family.’ Ariel has been removed from her home and placed under her older sister’s guardianship while authorities investigate claims of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her mother Chrisoula Workman.

Ariel’s sister, Shanelle Gray has filed a petition with the court for guardianship claiming that Workman has pushed, shoved and slapped Ariel, has subjected her to “vile name calling” and personal insults about her weight and appearance. Gray also claims that Workman has attempted to sexualize a minor and has been known to deprive the young actress of food for extended periods of time.

Gray has had custody of Ariel since October, 3^rd and is petitioning to be appointed a permanent guardian for her sister and her $500,000 estate. Workman continues to deny the abuse allegations and told E! News, “I want to say the horrible, untrue accusations are false and ridiculous. I have my doctor’s letter that my daughter’s never been abused…I have stylists’ letters that she’s never been abused.”

Workman will have a battle on her hands however if she hopes to get Ariel returned to her custody as this isn’t the first time the girl has been removed from her home. According to TMZ Ariel was placed into foster care but the Department of Children and Family Services when she was young.

While Winter is best known for her role on Modern Family, the actress has been hard at work in the entertainment industry since she was only 6 years old. Winter’s got her first big break with a cool whip commercial and quickly worked her way up to television and film roles. She most notably starred alongside Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer in the 2005 comedy ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”