Ariel Winter is putting on a brave face in the wake of her behind-the-scenes family drama.
Removed from her mother Chrisoula "Crystal" Workman's home Oct. 3 amid allegations of physical and emotional abuse, Winter, 14, was placed under the temporary guardianship of her older sister, Shanelle Workman. TMZ, which revealed Winter's custody woes Nov. 7, reports that Winter's mother was ordered to stay 100 yards away from the actress.
On Saturday, three days after news broke of Winter's struggle, the Modern Family actress was spotted in Los Angeles bonding with her older sister and her niece Skylar. Clad in a pink dress, Winter carried a matching clutch as she flashed a quick smile to nearby photographers.
As Shanelle Workman comes to her sister's aid, others close to Winter — who plays Alex Dunphy on ABC's comedy — call the claims of abuse at the hands of Chrisoula Workman completely untrue.
"There is no truth to these allegations. The allegations made 20 years ago are not true, and the ones today are not true," Winter's brother, Jimmy Workman, told Us Weekly when reached for comment last week. "This is a mother who does everything for her kids. Chris misses Ariel and wants her to come home."