'Modern Family's Julie Bowen recalls helping on-screen daughter Sarah Hyland exit abusive relationship
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Julie Bowen was not only a mother to Sarah Hyland on-screen but also catered to her off the screen.
‘The Modern Family’ star recently revealed during an appearance at the ‘The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast’ released on June 3, that she stood by her onscreen daughter as she was coming out of an abusive relationship.
Julie Bowen helped Sarah Hyland in 2014
Recalling the incident from 2014, Bowen shared that she was there to help Hyland when she was facing a tough situation in 2014, per People.
During that time, Hyland was dating Matt Prokop but had to obtain a restraining order against him after he exhibited violent behavior and physically and verbally abused her.
Before the restraining order was granted, the 54-year-old TV matriarch reportedly helped Hyland break off the relationship with Prokop.
The ‘Boston Legal’ star shared, "I was a responsible adult that happened to be around at the right time.”
"I mean, I'm sure another responsible adult would have done the exact same thing. I just love her,” added the star.
She also gushed about having a warm relationship with all her TV children. (While Bowen played Claire Dunphy, Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould, and Rico Rodriguez, along with Hyland, played her children).
She expressed that the group still shares a tight bond and added that they can call or text her anytime. Bowen declared, "I look at them all like my kids, I love them.”
Sarah Hyland’s relationship with Matt Prokop
Hyland and Prokop first met during the auditions for Disney’s ‘High School Musical’ and later co-starred in the channel’s ‘Geek Charming.'
They also dated from 2009 to 2014, before the actress filed for a restraining order in September 2014.
In the documents, Hyland claimed that her estranged boyfriend exhibited violent behavior, threatened her, and even attempted to choke her.
The court documents further stated that Prokop was checked into a rehab facility, and Hyland filed the documents after the facility's director warned her about Prokop’s “mental state and attitude.”
Hyland previously gushed about her onscreen family, telling People, “In every aspect of life they’re the best for me,” and adding, “We’re always there for each other. And it’s wonderful. I love them.”
