Guardianship of ‘Modern Family’ teen star Ariel Winter in court

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A judge is set to consider Tuesday whether ‘Modern Family’ teen star Ariel Winter should stay away from her mother, who has been described in court documents as physically and emotionally abusive.

L.A. County Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas will review whether the 14-year-old should continue living with her sister, who has temporary guardianship of the actress. The judge Oct. 3 temporarily stripped Chrisoula Workman of custody of her daughter.

Workman has denied all accusations of abuse and filed more than two dozen declarations from friends, acquaintances, stylists and others saying they never witnessed any abuse. Winter’s father, Glenn Workman, also filed an objection to the guardianship late Monday, stating he wants a better relationship with his daughter and would be willing to care for her.

Winter has been in the care of her adult sister, Shanelle Gray, who was removed from Chrisoula Workman’s care in the 1990s amid accusations of abuse.

Winter has been acting since age 7 and currently stars as Alex Dunphy on the hit ABC series “Modern Family.” Winter, through her sister’s attorney, alleged in a court filing that she was subject to ongoing physical and mental abuse by her mother. Three days after Ariel took legal action to split from her mother, Chrisoula Workman reported to the sheriff’s Crescenta Valley station that her daughter’s 18-year-old boyfriend had had unlawful sex with the underage actress.

Chrisoula Workman contends she discovered her daughter in the guest bedroom of her Montrose home on Sept. 24 in bed with a young man, believed to be 18, according to sources not authorized to discuss the investigation.

The young man was described as the teenage actress’ boyfriend of several months, according to the sources. According to sources, the teenagers have denied doing anything unlawful.

Detectives have been unable to substantiate Ariel’s abuse allegations, but the investigation is continuing.

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-- Andrew Khouri at L.A. County Superior Court