Sisterly love. Ariel Winter's sister, Shanelle Gray, has been granted permanent guardianship over her younger sibling, Entertainment Tonight reported Monday, April 5.
The latest development in Winter's family case comes after a long and arduous court battle between 16-year-old Winter and her mother, Chrisoula "Crystal" Workman, who was previously accused of physically and emotionally abusing the Modern Family actress.
The saga traces back to November 2012, when the young TV star was removed from her mother's home in light of suspected physical and emotional abuse. Gray was granted temporary guardianship over her sister, and a family feud quickly ensued. The actress' older brother, Jimmy Workman, filed documents last August to have the court remove Winter from Gray's care and award custody to him instead.
According to ET's Monday report, a Los Angeles judge gave the star's father, Glenn Workman, financial guardianship over Winter until she turns 18 in January 2016.
Winter expressed her contentment living with her sister to Teen Vogue in March 2013. "My life is definitely more normal—and that'll help me grow up like I'm supposed to," she said in the interview. "Like, I always wanted to be a dancer, and now I'm taking dance classes. And I didn't have many friends. It was all about work. Nowadays, my sister's like, 'You're supposed to have friends. You're supposed to go out on Friday and Saturday nights.'"