NYPD says Stephen Collins child abuse case dropped
By Alexandra Heilbron on October 9, 2014 | 26 Comments
A senior law enforcement official with the NYPD has told CNN that because of the statute of limitations, 7th Heaven star Stephen Collins can’t face charges of child abuse in regards to the allegations made against him by a New York woman. The allegations were made in November 2012 by a relative of Collins’ first wife. She told police she was sexually assaulted by Collins when she was 14 years old inside his New York apartment 40 years earlier. Collins would have been 27 at the time. In New York, a person has to make an accusation of sexual abuse within five years following their 18th birthday, and even though there are laws that allow an extension of the statute of limitations, because the woman waited 40 years, the case has been dropped.
Police also said they’re aware of the audio recording on TMZ in which a voice believed to be that of Collins seems to confess to child molestation, but they have not been able to confirm the voice on the recording is Collins, nor can they confirm whether the tape has been edited or altered. Collins and Grant are currently in the midst of contentious divorce proceedings. In court documents, Grant claimed that she was unaware Collins was an alleged child abuser until he told her in January 2012 during a therapy session that she says she recorded without Collins’ knowledge. However, according to TMZ, she wrote in an email to Collins: “The comment you made just before I gave birth to our daughter when you said you hoped we didn’t have a little boy, because ‘you just didn’t know if you could keep his little penis out of your mouth’ was indication enough that you were sick …I should have followed my gut then, and then again 14 years ago, and kicked your ass to the curb.” This indicates that if her accusations are true, she was aware he was sexually attracted to children. A source close to Collins told TMZ the actor never received any such email and calls its allegations “absolutely untrue.”
In legal divorce documents, Grant claims Collins’ assets are worth $14 million and she wants half, but Collins’ people say she wants”pretty much everything.” Reruns of Collins’ show, 7th Heaven, have been pulled from the air and he has been fired from several projects following the release of the tape.
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It just seems awful coincidental that she bring this forward when they are in the middle of a divorce.
I certainly am not condoning his actions, but why just now.
It definitely sounds like she’s trying to ruin his career because he wouldn’t give her all his money. I hope this all gets cleared up and he gets work again, if it turns out to be nothing.
If this tape was made during a therapy session, then by law the therapist would have to report him to the law. There is no patient confidentiality regarding Child abuse.
Yeah, the whole tape thing seems bogus. It’s looking more and more like she’s the evil one.
I think if this woman was aware of the things he has done (supposedly) she should also be prosecuted. It is disgraceful to put a statute of limitations on crimes such as this…sometimes it takes a victim his/her whole adult life to address them. They both sound like horrible people if these allegations are true and their vindictive behaviour toward each other reprehensible…IF these allegations are true..hope he goes to jail.
Yeah, I’m gonna call “BS” on this one. I do not believe her comments regarding him saying, “hope it’s not a little boy.”
If she knew he was an abuser, yet had children with him and let him reside in a home with him, she should be brought up on charges also.
He’s a pig and she’s an idiot – what a pair.
Who here can say they know the intimate details of this marriage or abuse allegations? Divorce is messy in almost all events and their money matters are not anyones business but theirs. What matters is fair and due justice and unfortunately we will never know because of the time transpired. We need to consider if potential abusers are hiding under the radar waiting for their victims 23rd birthdays. The nature of sexual crimes undermines a developing persons sense of self esteem and they need extra time to voice their experiences.
This man is a horrendous monster who needs to be thrown into prison and hell for the rest of his life. He raped then molested children and joked about child abuse, so never mind if his wife revealed the tape during divorce proceedings, maybe she has her own plans but that doesn’t excuse the fact he’s a despicable human being.
A child molester/predator will also be a child molester/predator. Whether she’s telling the truth or not, the truth will come out. Now that its out there, other victims will hopefully come forward. And then we will know the truth.
Having a time limit on whether to bring a molester to justice is criminal because the victim has to suffer with this incident their entire life while the molester can get away from his crimes after a time period. This is so wrong.
I thought this was fishy from the start. And the fact he’s been fired from project without being convicted of any crime is ridiculous. It sounds more like a petty, jealous woman wanting revenge.
Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
Seems it only takes the accusation to grow wings and fly. This guy has been run through the muck all for an ex-wife who isn’t content to have what the LAW says she’s entitled to. Faye Grant is not only a failed actress, but a failed a woman. If she knew anything of what was allegedly going on, she’s just as culpable and I feel she’s going to be doing a reversal soon when she realizes what damage she has caused. He’s lost acting gigs and possible residuals from things he already did. This man will be hunted for the rest of his life and will never recoup from his pariah status. The one tape, and everyone is acting like there’s a few of them, only shows him making comments and could be interpreted as a run through of lines for a role. The ‘therapist’ sounds like an acting coach and it is difficult to prove whether the tape was edited together. Sorry, I don’t believe this for a second. But where and when will he get his reputation back after this? Simple. He won’t! Thank you Faye Grant for proving once again the old adage, “A woman Scorned” and for making a mockery of women in general.
Anne and Bob, I agree totally!! I’m sure she wasn’t the only one he did this to – being 40 yrs ago is irrelevant and hopefully, as you said Bob, others will now come forward. It isn’t just suspicion, he admitted to it on tape.
Such a bunch of blindsided idiots who defend this guy just because he’s a movie star. Much too much idolizing of Hollywood celebrities, they seldom see them for the people they really are in “real” life – because they simply don’t WANT to.
Are u people dense with ur comments his wife
Gave this recording to police in 2012.. She recorded it on her cell
Not the therapist . . Yes she was dumb to stay
With him .
she is just as guilty as he is if she knew about it and stayed with his ass, both (if everything is true) should cease to exist!
@Mrs B if the incident of abuse happened decades prior, there is no legal need to report.
It’s very disappointing that this happened. I used to love watching this man on 7th heaven growing up and more recently on It’s Always Sunny. The timing of the tape release is definitely suspect, but IT IS his words.
I think she is doing it for money. Why state something that happened when you were 14 and wait 40 years to do something about it. I think it is money
@Ally….nailed it. It’s another MJ ending 🙁
Ok… I’m going to say this now IF he is guilty then i hope he rots in HELL. I also hope she rots in HELL if she knew and did nothing sooner.
But to be fair.
Suspicious, this is all coming out now when he is going through a nasty divorce
The tape cannot be authenticated the tape or that it is his voice.
I read somewhere (so I be wrong) but don’t most molesters who like 14 year old girls don’t normally cross gender laws and she said he mentions a boy
Why did she suddenly coming forward right now?
If his wife knew for years why not report it sooner. Also has anyone talked to his children
Let’s forget any kind of investigation and trial, forget about any burden of proof, he must be guilty because a woman that hates him and has a vested interest in getting money out of him during a divorce comes up with a recording she claims is him and accuses him of molestation. Let’s forget the common ploys in nasty divorce cases from one or both sides in an effort to get more money or get out of paying money, throw as much mud as possible and see what sticks. The one that can shout the loudest and get the most attention must be the right one, they win and the loser goes to jail! Hurray for mob mentality!
Collin’s wife is just as guilty as Collin’s is by not reporting what she knew in 2012. But the sex tapes prove that he did sexual assault children and he needs to be stopped now.
Les institutions du marché du travail en Allemagne sont très décentralisés, et impliquent un partage du pouvoir entre le public, l’industrie et le travail. L’Institut fédéral de l’emploi tourne à la fois des programmes d’emploi sélectifs assurance-chômage et, et ils sont indépendants du gouvernement fédéral, en cours d’exécution sur un budget fixe. Ils opèrent quelques programmes autres que l’assurance, et la plupart des programmes de formation professionnelle sont gérés par l’État ou par des groupes privés. Les avantages comprennent une très haute qualité de l’enseignement, mais comme elle repose principalement sur les employeurs et les syndicats pour assurer la formation, le coût salarial non est généralement très élevé (Cichon 1986). En outre, l’OCDE présente une nouvelle technologie créant plus d’emplois à forte intensité de compétences et des emplois plus variés que deux des trois développements qui présentent des risques pour la performance du marché du travail (OCDE, 1990).
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I don’t believe that the tape is true, why would a therapist give anyone, especially an ex a recording of any session that he had with the therapist, wouldn’t that be against the law. If you husband made such a comment about any child then why would you stay with him, I think his ex and who knows if she knows the other woman claiming to be molested to discredit this man which is such a shame if it is untrue, amazing what angry ex’s will do.
I think she is lieingvon the man her husband she still wants him and he doesn’t want her….