Stephen Collins Child Molestation

Stephen Collins was crying out for help ... begging to be locked up for child molestation, if you believe his wife, who castigated him for his latest movie role -- a pedophile priest.

Collins starred in "Penance," playing a priest who is confronted by one of his molestation victims. The short film was released in March.

When Collins' wife, Faye Grant, found out about the film, she went nuclear. Remember, this was a year AFTER Collins confessed to her he had molested and/or exposed himself to three girls.

Two weeks after the movie was released, Grant sent Collins an email -- obtained by TMZ -- in which she said, "You sexually molested a child using your role as a minister to engender trust. YOU ARE BEGGING TO BE INCARCERATED, STEPHEN."

It's an interesting email. As TMZ first reported, Grant has accused Collins of using his role on "7th Heaven" to get close to the parents of a child he later molested. The show ran from 1996-2007, which would make the alleged incident much closer in time to the present than the other 3. It appears from the email Grant is referring to this incident.

It's clear from the subject line Grant is incredulous: "IS THIS SOME SORT OF JOKE?"

The producer/director of "Penance," Jeff Wolfe, tells TMZ ... he had no idea about Collins' dark past when he cast him in the role. Wolfe says after he saw our stories he decided to donate all proceeds from the flick to the James Storehouse Foundation, which helps abused children.

The mystery girl who Stephen Collins admitted he sexually abused was a babysitter for the actor's daughter ... and we know cops are on the hunt for her.

TMZ broke the story ... Collins confessed on audio that he molested or exposed himself to 3 girls. Two of them have come forward ... one has gone to the NYPD and another to the L.A. County Sheriff. NYPD detectives know the 3rd victim was sexually abused in NYC and they now know who she is and are trying to track her down.

TMZ has learned ... the woman was around 13 when she babysat Collins' daughter 18 years ago. Collins' wife, Faye Grant, told cops Collins admitted to her he would repeatedly drive with the babysitter in the front seat with their 6-year-old daughter in the back seat and expose his penis to the babysitter.

Grant says Collins tried making excuses, saying the babysitter didn't see his penis when he exposed it and his daughter didn't see it either.

Cops want to talk to the woman. So far, they haven't made contact.

Stephen Collins is now under investigation by a third law enforcement agency for allegedly molesting and/or exposing himself to young girls ... TMZ has confirmed ... and the victim herself is the one who came forward to make the complaint.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the woman was 13 at the time and she has now gone to law investigators with her allegations.

Our sources say ... the incident involves a relative of a neighbor when Collins lived on Havenhurst Drive in West Hollywood during the summer of 1983.

Collins confesses to exposing himself to the girl on the audio tape posted on TMZ last week. We redacted her name and address.

Collins also says on the audio ... he went back to the victim and "made amends" years later.

We're told the New York PD referred the matter to the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. because the incident occurred in that jurisdiction.

We're told the Sheriff's Dept. investigation centers around indecent exposure and the crime of annoying or molesting a child. We've learned Collins is listed as "suspect."

Stephen Collins' wife accused the actor of using his famous role on "7th Heaven" to gain the trust of two parents so he could molest their kid ... and the allegation is stunning because if true it would mean he molested at least one child as recently as 2007.

Faye Grant sent a scathing email to Collins last year -- obtained by TMZ -- in which she claims he used his Reverend Eric Camden persona to get close to the parents of one of his victims.

Faye is parroting one of the key markers of a pedophile -- gaining a parent's trust, getting access to the child and ultimately time alone.

TMZ broke the story ... Collins confessed to molesting and/or exposing himself to 3 children, but all 3 incidents occurred no later than 1984.

"7th Heaven" premiered in 1996 and ran until 2007.

In the email ... she says "prosecutors love 'special circumstances'" -- which she describes as using your fame to sexually molest children.

A source connected to Collins tells TMZ ... "The notion that Stephen used his role on "7th Heaven" for any improper purpose is completely false and just another example of Faye fabricating a story to gain an advantage in the divorce proceedings."

Stephen Collins' alleged child molestation scandal got "7th Heaven" reruns yanked off the air ... which means his former co-stars are about to see their residual checks dry up.

Niki Saletta and her brother Sam Saletta were 2 of the child actors on the show -- and Niki's manager (and mom) Caryn Moss tells us when the reruns stop airing, the residual paychecks stop too. She admits they weren't "Seinfeld" sized ... but says they'll still be missed.

Niki played "Deena Stewart" on 18 episodes, and Sam was "George Camden" on 6 episodes -- so, it's true ... at this point residuals (known as "mailbox money" in the biz) for non-starring roles would be pretty small.

TV Guide Network and UP TV both dropped "7th Heaven" from their lineups after TMZ posted Collins' audio taped confession to sexual misconduct with young girls. They were the last 2 channels airing the show in the U.S.

As for her children's safety on set -- Moss tells us she never saw anything suspicious, and never had any concerns about Collins.

The main victim in the Stephen Collins molestation case had a very dark awakening after reading two highly sexualized thrillers authored by the actor ... books that convinced her to take action so he wouldn't molest others.

"Eye Contact" was Collins' first novel in 1994 ... which chronicles the sexual escapades of an exhibitionist woman. "Double Exposure" -- published in 1998 -- deals with a TV critic in a horrible marriage who begins a voyeuristic relationship with his attractive neighbor.

Sources connected with the woman -- who claims Collins molested her between the ages of 11 and 13 -- say she read the books right around 2000 and almost immediately wrote an anonymous letter to Faye Grant, warning her about what her husband allegedly did to her and what he might do to other children.

The woman eventually went to cops in 2012 ... and reported her alleged molestation.

By the way ... Collins touts both novels on his website ... but provides a disclaimer saying they're way too sexual for "7th Heaven" fans.

Stephen Collins -- who played the pastor/dad on "7th Heaven" -- confessed to his estranged wife he was a child molester, and it's all on tape ... a tape obtained by TMZ. And the New York Police Dept. is now conducting an active criminal investigation involving sexual contact with multiple children.

Collins -- who is in the middle of a nasty, prolonged divorce with actress Faye Grant -- revealed to her in 2012 he had molested and/or exposed himself to several underage girls years before. Collins and Grant went to a therapist where she peppered him with questions about the incidents ... and he not only answered, he was specific.

Here's what Collins didn't know at the time. Grant taped the therapy session. We're told her lawyer advised her it was legal to secretly record the conversation because in California you're allowed to secretly record conversations to gather evidence the other person committed a violent felony ... and molesting a child under the age of 14 qualifies.

We have protected the names of the victims Collins mentions on tape. As you listen ... you will hear Collins refer to a "disclosure" and a "list." This refers to a confession Collins had already made to his wife ... which triggered the therapy session.

You hear Collins flatly confess to molesting an 11-year-old New York girl -- a relative of his first wife -- saying, "There was one moment of touching where her hand, I put her hand on my penis." He also acknowledges exposing himself to the girl "a couple of times" ... he says when she was 11, 12 and 13.

Grant asks, "When you exposed yourself ... did you have an erection?" He responds, "No, I mean, no. Partial, maybe I think."

Grant then inquires about other girls. Collins mentions an L.A. girl who lived in their neighborhood, but says he tried righting the wrong by apologizing to her years later.

And then they talk about yet another girl. It's incredible ... Collins has trouble keeping the girls straight, but then he gets clear and confirms the incident. We're told this girl was also from New York and was between 12 and 13 at the time.

TMZ has learned ... the NYPD is in possession of the tape, and last Wednesday 2 NYPD detectives from the Special Victims Unit flew to L.A. to interview Grant. We're told they asked her about the tape and about other potential witnesses.

An NYPD official tells TMZ ... there is a current, active investigation. The official says there are "at least 3 victims" and the nature of the investigation is "inappropriate sexual contact with minors."

Law enforcement sources tell us ... one alleged victim in the investigation is the relative of Collins' first wife, who we're told first reported the molestation in 2012. One law enforcement source tells us ... although decades have passed since the molestation, they believe the case can still be prosecuted because the statute of limitations runs from the date of reporting.

Collins -- who is on the National Board of the Screen Actors Guild -- frequently interacts with young actresses. In addition to "7th Heaven," he was also on the ABC Family show "The Fosters," about a bunch of young kids being raised in a foster family. And he had a role in the recent show, "Revolution" ... which also had underage actors.

We contacted Collins' reps ... they had no comment.

Stephen Collins unknowingly wreaked havoc on a fundraiser for a sick baby ... because after he showed support ... the campaign was attacked for associating with an alleged child molester.

Hannah Robinson was born 7 weeks premature last year in Canada ... riddled with multiple life threatening ailments including: bowel disease and issues with her skin and heart.

Hannah's father, Denver started a gofundme page to help with medical costs ... and sent out a bunch of tweets to celebrities asking for support ... including Collins, who retweeted the message.

After TMZ broke the news Collins was under investigation ... Denver says he got bombarded with angry messages from Hannah supporters who hated Collins having any involvement in the campaign.
Denver says people also warned, "Keep your daughter away" from Collins.

Fearing the negative impact ... Denver deleted the tweet to Collins. The message is no longer posted on either page.

Stephen Collins -- who is under investigation in New York City for child molestation -- could end up getting cleared in NYC, but he WILL face molestation charges in his divorce trial ... sources tell TMZ.

We're told Faye Grant will present evidence -- including Collins' audiotaped confession -- that he molested children, in an attempt to convince the judge to immediately separate their assets so she's protected in the event one or more victims sue Collins.

On Collins' side ... we know his lawyer plans to call at least one witness who claims Grant pressured him/her into lying about witnessing Collins molesting a child.

And we're told Collins' side will attempt to show Grant tried to extort him into giving her a grossly lopsided property split in return for burying the audiotape ... something Grant's people fiercely deny.

Kathy Griffin was mum about her mysterious tweet ... suggesting there's someone else out there who should be really worried about getting busted for child molestation.

Griffin weighed in on the Collins child molestation scandal Tuesday when she tweeted, "Well well well #StephenCollins, looks like u may have finally gotten urself busted after all these years. Jack M, ur next? KG"

It left people wondering ... what did Kathy know about Collins and who in the world is Jack M?

But when we asked Kathy about it Wednesday night outside Osteria Mozza, the boisterous comedienne kept her mouth shut.

Stephen Collins is a lowlife who is deflecting his confessed child molestation by falsely accusing his wife of offering to cover up his misdeeds for a hefty price ... this according to her lawyer.

Faye Grant's attorney, Larry Ginsberg, tells TMZ, Collins' lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, has defamed Grant by accusing her of extortion. Kaplan says Grant held the audio over Collins' head for a price.

Ginsberg says Grant did not peddle the audiotape to the media ... rather she gave it to both the NYPD and the LAPD 2 years ago after he refused to get help for pedophilia.

And contrary to Kaplan's claim Grant wanted to fleece Collins out of his entire fortune ... Ginsberg says, "Faye never asked to receive more than the 50% of the community property to which she is entitled."

As for the extortion claim ... Ginsberg says absolutely not true. He does say Grant requested he create a trust fund for their daughter and make a contribution to a charitable organization benefiting sexually abused kids, but Ginsberg says it's outrageous to call that extortion.

Stephen Collins' estranged wife tried to persuade a witness to make false claims about sexual molestation to authorities, and when the witness refused she retaliated against that witness ... this according to Collins' lawyer.

Attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan tells TMZ ... the would-be witness will testify in the upcoming divorce trial. Kaplan claims Grant wanted the witness to claim he/she saw Collins molest a girl -- not one of the 3 mentioned in the audiotape. Kaplan says the would-be witness saw no such sexual contact, and when that person refused to testify Grant went on the warpath.

Stephen Collins lost out on his gig on one of the hottest TV shows around ... he's been dropped from "Scandal."

Collins played a news anchor in one episode of the show in season two and was scheduled to reprise that role this season. Collins even tweeted about it last month, writing, "Lucky me (should it be Lucky I?...never mind)..shooting another episode of #Scandal today for the amazing @shondarhimes !"

But in the wake of his recent child molestation revelations, a spokesperson for ABC tells TMZ he will no longer be appearing on the show.

On Tuesday, Collins was axed from his role in the upcoming movie, "Ted 2."

Stephen Collins is accusing his wife of being behind his child molestation revelations because she's using it to screw him in their divorce ... and now we know there is A LOT of money on the line.

Faye Grant filed legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- in which she lists their assets, which she says total more than $14 million. Grant says she wants half, but Collins' people tell TMZ she wants pretty much everything.

As for the assets, the most interesting is the smallest. Collins appeared on "Scandal," and only pocketed $7,682.

As for the other assets:

-- more than $5 million in property
-- Collins' $16,000 Rolex
-- $40,000 in art
-- Collins' $100,000 vintage guitar collection

Grant says Collins made $40K an episode for "Revolution," but only $5,500 for "The Fosters."

Collins' people say Grant was using the tape to extort more than her fair share in their divorce.

Stephen Collins and Faye Grant had a bizarre living arrangement, with NO designated bedrooms for them and their daughter ... this according to new legal docs.

Grant filed the docs -- obtained by TMZ -- in her divorce case, explaining they have 3 houses on 2 adjoining lots in Brentwood, CA.

Grant says, "Stephen, our daughter and I did not have designated bedrooms in any one house: we would frequently rotate and move around to different bedrooms in the different houses."

The houses came up because Grant wants the home sold and the proceeds divided. As we previously reported, she doesn't want any future financial involvement with Collins in case he's sued by one of the women with whom he had improper sexual contact.

Stephen Collins told his wife just before she gave birth to their daughter ... he was happy it wasn't a boy because he wasn't sure he could resist having oral sex with him ... this according to the wife, but we're told Collins says it's a flat out lie.

Faye Grant sent an email to Collins last year -- after he disclosed he had molested and/or exposed himself to 3 young girls. In the email, she wrote:

"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 ..."

Grant goes on to regretfully say, "I should have followed my gut then, and then again 14 years ago, and kicked your ass to the curb."

A source close to Collins tells TMZ the allegations in the email are "absolutely untrue." The source goes on ... he never received any such email from Grant and she never uttered a peep about such allegations during the entire divorce proceedings.

Collins' audio confession -- obtained by TMZ -- is now at the core of an NYPD investigation into alleged improper sexual contact with at least 3 girls.