‘7th Heaven’ Dad Stephen Collins Reportedly Confesses to Child Molestation
Stephen Collins, known to millions as the beloved Reverend Camden on '7th Heaven,' has reportedly admitted to several counts of child molestation.
According to TMZ (who obtained audio of the actor's confession) Collins' estranged wife recorded a therapy session in which he admitted to exposing himself to multiple underage girls over the years, even forcing one to touch his penis. TMZ reports that Collins' wife, actress Faye Grant, recorded the session at the suggestion of her lawyer, though the actor was unaware he was being recorded at the time.
The disturbing audio reveals that Collins reportedly molested a relative of his first wife, Marjorie, when the girl just was 11. He confesses that he exposed himself to her and when Grant asked if he had an erection at the time, Collins says: "I don't know. Partial, maybe." He also admits to exposing himself to her over the course of several years -- when the victim was 11, 12 and 13.
"There was one instance … where there was one moment of touching where I put her hand on my penis," Collins confesses.
He also admits to molesting "the niece of the woman who lived across the way," whom he reportedly "made amends to" "12 or 15" years ago. He also admitted that there was another young girl as well.
TMZ reports that one victim reported the abuse in 2012. The site says that the NYPD is conducting "an active criminal investigation" against Collins, who could still be prosecuted in the case.
From 1996-2007, Collins starred on '7th Heaven' as the Camden family patriarch Eric Camden, a reverend who raises seven children with his wife, Annie. Disturbingly, in the Season 4 episode 'Talk to Me,' Collins' character counsels a young girl who had been sexually abused and tries to help her deal with her emotions from the incident.