"Modern Family" star Ariel Winter's real-life family situation is, unfortunately, a far cry from her on-screen role.
The 14-year-old actress was removed from her home on Oct. 3, and placed under the temporary guardianship of her 34-year-old sister, Shanelle Gray, who petitioned the court alleging their mother, Chrystal Workman, physically abused Ariel, and also
abused her in the form of "vile name calling, personal insults about [her and her weight], attempts to 'sexualize' minor, deprivation of food, etc. for an extended period of time."
Winter's mother has denied the abuse charges and says the actress is retaliating because Workman wouldn't let her engage in a sexual act with her 18-year-old boyfriend, actor Cameron Palatas. Workman claims she was just trying to save her daughter from statutory rape, is suspicious as she only filed a police report about the "illicit sexual relationship" after Ariel was removed from her custody, reports RadarOnline.
According to TMZ, authorities have "serious doubts" about Workman's counter allegations, because they believe she's trying to save face now that Winter was placed in her sister's custody.
Court sources say the fist time Workman mentioned anything about an illicit relationship was during a hearing on Sept. 24, when she testified, telling the court, "I caught my daughter with her boyfriend in bed -- she's 14. He's 18 and I threw him out and I broke them up."
One law enforcement source told TMZ that the fact that Workman waited until three days after she lost custody to file the police report has them doubting there was ever a sexual relationship between Winter and her boyfriend.
Reps for the actress have declined to comment on the allegations, but Winter's Twitter account appears to provide some insight into the reports. The day she was removed from her home, she tweeted, "ALWAYS be strong. Stand up for yourself."
Despite her tumultuous family situation the teen star hasn't let it keep her from her life. The actress was spotted getting back to work on the set of "Modern Family" on Nov. 8.
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