Stephen Collins Admits to Child Molestation; Says He Deeply Regrets It

Actor Stephen Collins recently spilled the beans and admitted that he had inappropriate sexual contact with at least three female minors.

"Forty years ago, I did something terribly wrong that I deeply regret. I have been working to atone for it ever since," he told People magazine.

It was earlier revealed by TMZ that the New York Police Department has been investigating Collins for allegedly molesting several underage children. TMZ even obtained an audio file wherein Collins gave details about his criminal acts during a therapy session he and his then wife Faye Grant went to. His wife Faye recorded the session. The therapy was reportedly triggered by Collins' confession to the said acts to his wife.

TMZ said that in the audio file, we can hear Collins admitting that he had molested an 11-year old girl who is somewhat related to his first wife. He also said that he had exposed himself to the girl several times when she was 11, 12, and 13.

The report also said that Collins also molested another girl from L.A. and another one from New York.

In People's report, Collins explained that the leaked audio file was his main reason for addressing the issues.

"I've decided to address these issues publicly because two months ago, various news organizations published a recording made by my then-wife, Faye Grant, during a confidential marriage therapy session in January, 2012. This session was recorded without the therapist's or my knowledge or consent," the magazine quoted him as saying.

"On the recording, I described events that took place 20, 32, and 40 years ago...The publication of the recording has resulted in assumptions and innuendos about what I did that go far beyond what actually occurred. As difficult as this is, I want people to know the truth," he added.

In that exclusive story, Collins also revealed that he actually did apologize to one of those girls. But he only did it 15 years later. After saying sorry, the girl, he said, was "extraordinarily gracious."

He said that he no longer apologize to the two other girls as "opening old wounds" and "being direct about such matters could actually make things worse." He said that one of the girls is now actually in her 30s while the other is in her 50s.

Meanwhile, a recent CBS report said that Collins will no longer face criminal charges for the sex abuse crimes he committed in New York as the "statute of limitations has expired." It however noted that the NYPD has helped the LA Police Department with its own probe.

Another report from Daily Mail also cited "law enforcement sources" saying that there is no need to charge Collins as "the cases will go nowhere." The report also said that LA Police Department did not even reopen the case and just simply reviewed the October audio file.

Collins is known for portraying the lead role of Rev. Eric Camden in the TV series "7th Heaven."