'Abused' Modern Family starlet to stay in sister's care

Modern Family star, Ariel Winter, at a BAFTA LA tea party in Los Angeles. Photo / AP

Child Protective Services have recommended that Ariel Winter's older sister be granted permanent legal guardianship.

The Modern Family actress was removed from her mother Chrisoula 'Chrystal' Workman's home and temporarily placed in the care of her sister Shanelle Gray last month amid reports of physical and emotional abuse.

A source told gossip website RadarOnline.com that social workers have recommended that her mother should only be allowed supervised contact with the 14-year-old star.

A source said: "Social workers from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) conducted extensive interviews with Ariel, her mother and her sister. At the conclusion of those exhaustive interviews and based on other evidence that social workers had, they have written a formal report for the judge handling the guardianship petition, and DCFS officials agree that her sister should remain as Ariel's guardian.

"The report will have substantial influence on the judge and officials from the department will be in court on Tuesday for the proceedings, and will testify about their report if called to do so. There are major concerns with the emotional abuse that Ariel's mother allegedly inflicted on her."

Speaking in court in last week, a lawyer for Shanelle claimed their mother had put Ariel's acting career in jeopardy.

According to court transcripts Michael Kretzmer told Los Angeles Superior Court judge Michael Levanas: "She has been a terror on the set. The producers and others there have expressed grave concern.

"[Cast members] are having to sneak this child food because the mother deprives the child of food.

"The child looks 10 years older than her sister and is dressed up to show off her breasts and otherwise. And the mother does not let the child out of the home without being dressed in a particular way, which is highly inappropriate for a child of this age."

"The child is, apparently, slapped, hit, pushed - not so as to leave marks. Mother is smart enough not to do that."

Ariel's mother denies all allegations.

- Bang! Showbiz