'7th Heaven' Star and TV Pastor Stephen Collins Investigated for Child Molestation; Estranged Wife Secretly Recorded Confessions
Stephen Collins, who played a minister on the hit family series "7th Heaven," is reportedly being investigated for child sex abuse.
The 67-year-old actor, who identifies as Ecopiscopalian, is said to have confessed to the crimes to his estranged wife Faye Grant, 57, in a secret recording that took place back in 2012.
In audio tapes obtained by celebrity gossip website TMZ.com, Collins allegedly admits to inappropriately touching and/or exposing himself to several underage girls. At one particular moment he recounts molesting an 11-year-old New York girl, who is a relative of his first wife Marjorie Weinman.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"There was one moment of touching where her hand, I put her hand on my penis," Collins is heard saying before going on to admit to exposing himself to her "a couple of times" over three years.
Grant, who is embroiled in a bitter divorce with Collins, reportedly secretly taped his confession during a therapy session. In California it is legal to record conversations if the purpose is to gather evidence that the other party committed a violent felony.
She can be heard asking him "when you exposed yourself ... did you have an erection?" To which he replies "No, I mean, no. Partial, maybe I think."
The young girl is said to have reported the assault back in 2012, however, it is unclear what exactly the outcome was.
The NYPD currently has possession of the tapes and it reportedly confirmed that an investigation is underway involving "at least 3 victims." The nature of the investigation is said to be "inappropriate sexual contact with minors," reported TMZ.
Also in the recordings Collins reportedly admits to molesting another young girl aged between 12-13 in Los Angeles and he claims to have already apologized to her for the assault.
The actor, who is on the National Board of the Screen Actors Guild, rose to stardom in 1996 as the wholesome family man and pastor Eric Camden on "7th Heaven."
He has an adult daughter from his first marriage and more recently appeared on "Revolution" and "Devious Maids."
Both Collins and Grant have not yet spoken publicly regarding the abuse allegations.
