Mother Told Judge Ariel Winter Attacked and Threatened Her

Before the court heard Chrystal Workman's side, the judge heard exactly what we reported this morning ... that Ariel's mom, Chrystal was "a terror on the set of 'Modern Family' and that the producer and others there have expressed grave concern ..." this according to the lawyer for Ariel's sister.

The transcript chronicles the court hearing last month, at which the judge removed Ariel from the care of her mother and created a temporary guardianship.

According to the lawyer for Shanelle Workman, "The child [Ariel] is, apparently, struck repeatedly, slapped, hit, pushed, not so as to leave marks. Mother is smart enough not to do that."

But Chrystal fired back, "She is an actress so I'm sure she can cry at the drop of a hat." In other words, Chrystal was warning the judge that her daughter was making up her story.

The lawyer for Shanelle also claimed Chrystal "sexualizes the child," and showed the judge a pic of Ariel "dressed up to show off her breasts and otherwise."

The lawyer also mentions what we said this morning ... that people on the set of "Modern Family" were "having to sneak this child food because the mother deprives the child of food."