‘Modern Family’ Actress Alleges Ex-boyfriend Choked Her

September 25, 2014

By Richard Winton

LOS ANGELES—“Modern Family” actress Sarah Hyland has obtained a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend after he allegedly choked and threatened to kill her, court records show.

A Los Angeles County judge issued the order days before her ex, 24-year-old Matthew Prokop, was due to be released from rehab. She alleged in court records that the rehab center’s director warned her to “seek this order immediately due to Mr. Prokop’s mental state and attitude toward me.”

During the pair’s 4-year relationship, the 23-year-old actress, who portrays Haley Dunphy in the ABC sitcom, alleged that Prokop repeatedly abused her verbally and physically.

Superior Court Judge Andrea C. Thompson granted the order Sept. 19 that forbids Prokop from being within 100 yards of Hyland, her home, her workplace and her vehicle.

Hyland’s attorney, Lee Sherman, said that his client would not publicly discuss the matter and that “the documents filed speak for themselves.”

Prokop, an actor, could not be reached for comment. Court documents indicate that Hyland did not give him notice of the Sept. 19 court hearing because she feared he would accost her before the hearing.

Hyland alleged in her request for the restraining order that Prokop repeatedly called her a slut, a whore and other profanities in private and public.