Fourteen-year-old "Modern Family" star Ariel Winter will continue to live with her adult sister, her family will undergo therapy, and her mother will stay out of her business affairs under an agreement reached Wednesday.
The agreement comes before the scheduled start of what would have been a guardianship trial focused on claims that Winter's mother, Chrisoula Workman, has physically and emotionally abused Winter. Workman has vehemently denied abusing her daughter, who plays Alex Dunphy on the hit ABC comedy.
Under the terms of the agreement, Winter will continue to live with her sister, Shanelle Gray, until at least a March 29 follow-up hearing. Her father, Glenn Workman, has temporary control of his daughter’s finances. Both parents, Winter and Gray will undergo counseling separately to explore the possibility of a long-term reunion, and their therapists will communicate through a "mutually agreed upon conjoint therapist," according to the agreement.
The agreement, approved by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael J. Levanas, was reached by representatives for Winter, Gray, and each of their parents.
Levanas said last month that an initial report by child protective services found evidence of emotional abuse, but that the claims of physical abuse were deemed inconclusive, the Associated Press reported.
Gray, an actress who has appeared on "The Bold and the Beautiful," has said through her attorney that she also suffered abuse from her mother and was removed from her mother's home as a teenager, the AP said.
Pamela Chelin contribute to his report.
