Ariel Winter's Mom Sues for Alleged Defamation

Chrisoula 'Crystal' Workman, the mother of Modern Family's Ariel Winter, has sued one of her daughter's associates for alleged defamation, according to The Associated Press.

RELATED: Ariel Winter's Sister Continues Temporary Custody

The news source reports that the defamation suit cites an online comment that actor Matthew Borlenghi allegedly made, referring to Workman as an "abusive monster."

Winter, 14, is currently under the temporary custody of her sister Shanelle Gray, 34. The trial to determine whether Gray will gain permanent custody of her sister is set to begin Wednesday.

Workman lost custody of Ariel in October after court documents were filed, claiming that Ariel "has been the victim of ongoing physical abuse (slapping, hitting, pushing) and emotional abuse (vile name calling, personal insults about minor and minor's height, attempts to 'sexualize' minor, deprivation of food, etc.) for an extended period of time by the minor's mother ..."

Crystal denies the allegations, telling ET, "I love my daughter. I want to reunite our family. All allegations are false. Please pray for my family."

Earlier today, the AP reported that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas added more days of testimony (January 8 and 9), saying that he was doing so to "allow time for the testimony of a witness, [Jonathan Hay]."