Julie Bowen Recalls Supporting “Modern Family” Daughter Sarah Hyland During Previous Allegedly Abusive Relationship
In September 2014, Hyland was granted a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend Matt Prokop over claims he had verbally and physically abused her during their five-year relationship
Mireya Acierto/Getty; Stefanie Keenan/Getty
Sarah Hyland (left) and Julie BowenJulie Bowen's relationships with her Modern Family children transcend off screen — in fact, when Sarah Hyland found herself in an allegedly abusive relationship, Bowen was the first person she called.
In an episode of The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast released on June 3, the actress, 54, recalled how she was there for her TV daughter during a tough period in her life in 2014. At the time, Hyland was dating Matt Prokop and eventually secured a restraining order against him in over claims he had verbally and physically abused her during their five-year relationship.
The month before the order was granted, Bowen had intervened and helped Hyland end her relationship, which allegedly led to Prokop threatening to kill her dog and burn down her house.
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Julie Bowen (left) and Sarah HylandRelated: Sarah Hyland's First Date with Wells Adams Was a 'Trial by Fire': 'I Told Him About Everything'
"I was a responsible adult that happened to be around at the right time," Bowen recalled of the ordeal. "I mean, I'm sure another responsible adult would have done the exact same thing. I just love her."
The actress, who played Claire Dunphy on the hit sitcom, revealed that she and Hyland, as well as her other onscreen children Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould and Rico Rodriguez (who played her young stepbrother) still possess a tight-knit bond today.
"I look at them all like my kids, I love them," she continued, adding that they can call or text anytime.
Hyland first met Prokop during an audition for High School Musical before the two costarred in the Disney TV movie Geek Charming. They dated from 2009 to 2014. In court documents for the restraining order filed in September 2014, Hyland alleged that Prokop had exhibited violent behavior, lobbed multiple threats and at one point, attempted to choke her.
According to the documents, she claimed that over the course of their relationship, Prokop would call her a slew of derogatory names and hurl objects at her. The tipping point, she claimed, came in May 2014 when he allegedly slammed her into a vehicle and choked her during an argument.
The papers stated that after Prokop moved out of their home, in mid-August, he checked into a rehab facility. The actress claimed that she secured the protective order at the urging of the facility’s director, who purportedly warned her about Prokop’s “mental state and attitude” as Prokop was set to be discharged on Sept. 21.
Prokop has not publicly commented on the alleged incident or restraining order.
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At the time, Hyland told PEOPLE of how her Modern Family costars had always been there for her through thick and thin. “In every aspect of life they’re the best for me,” she said. “We’re always there for each other. And it’s wonderful. I love them.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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