‘Modern Family’s’ Julie Bowen Opens Up About Sarah Hyland’s Domestic Abuse Case

When Sarah Hyland split from her boyfriend Matthew Prokop it wasn’t a huge deal. However, following his release from rehab, headlines started to pop up weeks later that Hyland had been in an abusive relationship with the troubled Disney star.

It’s one thing for a young star to fall into an abusive relationship but it’s another when another star from the same television show is brought into the story. As The Inquisitr reported, the Modern Family star enlisted the help of her TV mom Julie Bowen to break things off with Prokop.

When she showed up to support Hyland, Prokop reportedly freaked out and continued to threaten Hyland and her dog Barkley Bixby. At that point, the report said that Bowen told Hyland to leave because she “wasn’t safe.”

For the first time, Modern Family‘s Julie Bowen is hesitantly talking about the ordeal. During an interview with HuffPost Live, she noted several times that she wasn’t sure if she’s legally allowed to talk about the situation. That said, Bowen said her involvement was “grossly overblown,” but didn’t deny anything that was reported.

Instead, the Modern Family actress chose to downplay her involvement.

“I love Sarah and I support her wholeheartedly, and I didn’t do anything special at all. Nothing that you wouldn’t do for a anybody who’s going through a break-up. I think it just got a lot of attention because she’s an adorably cute person who’s on TV.”

Bowen continued, “it wasn’t anything you wouldn’t do if somebody called you up and said, ‘Hey man, I’m going through a tough time.’ You’d jump in.”

During an incident in May, Prokop choked Hyland and pinned her with a car. After the incident, Hyland complained of a sore throat following the argument with her former boyfriend.

Prokop also sent the Modern Family star disturbing texts and voice mails including suicide threats. These messages were described as “vile, threatening and emotionally disturbing.”

As The Inquisitr reported, the abusive relationship came to light when TMZ obtained court documents Sarah filed when she requested a restraining order. A temporary restraining order was given as the judge reviewed the details of the case.

Shortly after a judge reviewed the case, Hyland was granted a three year restraining order. Matthew Prokop is ordered to stay 100 yards away from the actress, her home, and her dog, Barkley Bixby.

[Image via Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com]