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Brother Of Actress Mia Farrow Charged With Child Sex Abuse In Md.

EDGEWATER, Md. (WJZ)— The brother of movie star Mia Farrow is under arrest, charged with child sex abuse. And the victims say the abuse goes back for years.

Gigi Barnett reports he was under investigation for months and turned himself in Wednesday night.

Anne Arundel County police say a quaint house on the edge of South River became the place of sexual abuse for two young victims for years.

Over the summer, the department's child abuse unit received several tips that led them to the owner, 66-year-old John Charles Villers-Farrow.

"It's unclear to me exactly why they came forward, but it appears the victim did come forward and it certainly takes a lot of courage to come forward with this type of information," said Justin Mulcahy, Anne Arundel County Police spokesperson.

While detectives are still looking into Villers-Farrow's background, neighbors say it is common knowledge that he's the brother of actress Mia Farrow.

"It's a small community, so people just kind of know that that's who he is," said Lisa Maranto, neighbor.

Investigators say the male victims, who are now adults, recounted their stories to detectives and how the victims met Villers-Farrow

"The victims were known to him from the community, so he had some type of access to them, it appears," Mulcahy said.

Police say the victims told investigators that much of the abuse occurred at Villers-Farrow's home. It went on for a number of years between 2000 and 2008, and they were just 8 years old when it started. Now police fear there may be more victims to find.

"He may have had access to other children in the community, and there could be potential other victims out there, and as a police department that's concerning to us," Mulcahy said.

Villers-Farrow has been a long-time resident in the neighborhood, which is only about two miles from an elementary school.

Police are encouraging other potential victims to come forward. Neighbors are too.

"Other people have stopped and knocked on my door, 'Did you know this?' Just to let everybody know so that everybody stays safe," Maranto said.

Villers-Farrow faces a slew of charges, including second-degree sex offense and assault. All of the charges were issued twice to include both victims.

Villers-Farrow is being held at the county detention center on $800,000 bond.

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