Stephen Collins’ wife ‘sickened’ by allegations of sex abuse of minors
The estranged wife of actor Stephen Collins claims in court records that she was “sickened” when she learned of his alleged sexual abuse of three girls, and feared there may be more victims.
In divorce documents filed in November 2013, Faye Grant also claims to have no knowledge of the alleged molestation until her husband’s purported admission, prompting her to contact police in Los Angeles and New York.
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FOR THE RECORD
11:48 a.m. PDT: An earlier version of this post incorrectly identified Faye Grant in one instance by her former married name, Collins.
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“Obviously, I am sickened by Stephen’s actions,” she wrote in a declaration. “I have spent the past 20 months coping with the trauma of learning about Stephen’s illness and worrying about my moral and legal responsibility.”
Collins is best known for his role as minister Eric Camden on the TV series “7th Heaven,” which ran from 1996 to 2007.
Celebrity news site TMZ released an audiotape Tuesday that it said was a recording by Collins’ estranged wife during a therapy session with the actor. The man on the tape mentions two victims in New York and one in Los Angeles, according to TMZ.
The New York Police Department confirmed in a statement Tuesday that an investigation had been opened, but did not elaborate.
Los Angeles Police Department Cmdr. Andrew Smith said the department had been in contact with the NYPD and was reviewing the tape, but that no formal investigation into Collins had been opened.
Grant and Collins were married for 27 years, but separated in February 2012 after she learned about what she claims was his “secret life,” according to court documents.
“I believe that Stephen used his celebrity status to engender the trust of the families of the children he molested,” she said.
Grant claims in court documents that her husband underwent a 12-step program for sex addiction and disclosed to his therapist, in her presence, that Collins “engaged in a long-term pattern of sexually abusing minor children.”
“Stephen’s therapist subsequently disclosed to me that Stephen has narcissistic personality disorder with sociopathic tendencies,” Grant wrote in her court filing.
Collins, 67, has appeared on numerous television shows, films and on Broadway. After news of the NYPD’s investigation broke Tuesday, he was dropped from the film “Ted 2.” An Atlanta-based cable company also pulled “7th Heaven” reruns from its schedule.
For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at [email protected].
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