Santa Monica police arrested comedian Paula Poundstone on Wednesday at an undisclosed Malibu location, on a felony warrant that charges her with lewd acts upon a child and child abuse, authorities said.
Poundstone, 41, is charged with three counts of committing a lewd act on a “Jane Doe” under the age of 14 on May 19, June 5 and June 6, said Deputy District Attorney Gina Satriano.
The popular comedian, who reportedly has been a foster parent since 1993 and has two adoptive children, also is charged with child abuse on June 6 involving two other girls and two other boys.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office refused to elaborate on the identities of the children, who are listed in the four-page criminal complaint as Jane and John Does.
Poundstone was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Wednesday in Malibu and booked at the Santa Monica jail, Santa Monica police Lt. Frank Fabrega said.
Poundstone‘s arrest followed a “lengthy investigation” by Santa Monica police in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and the District Attorney’s Office, police said.
She posted a $200,000 bond and was released about 7 p.m. Wednesday, police said. Her attorney, Steven Cron, did most of the talking when she was released.
“We’ve been cooperating with the police department. We’ve been aware of the investigation. They know where Paula has been, and there was certainly no reason for them go out and arrest her,” he told KCAL.
Poundstone, wearing a sweatshirt, jeans and a ballcap, said: “I have faith that the truth is the right thing.”
It was unclear when Poundstone would enter a plea to the charges.
The To Tell the Truth panelist, Science Court player and cable ACE award recipient faces up to 13 years and four months in state prison if convicted of the charges.
