Daniel Baldwin has been accused of harassing a woman in California after she fired his babysitter niece. The actor is facing legal action from Malibu resident Helen Smith, amid allegations he left furious messages on her phone and sent her warning texts after learning she had dismissed his niece Jennifer Keurhler.

Smith claims she was left terrified by the messages and she has filed papers in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking a temporary restraining order against the actor.

In her legal papers, she alleges Baldwin called her husband and left "a hostile message regarding his niece Jennifer Keurhler, who was employed as our nanny".

She goes on to detail a text she received on July 27, in which Baldwin requests that she "not threaten his niece" - although Smith insists she has no knowledge of such an incident.

Smith wants Baldwin banned from contacting or approaching her again, reports RadarOnline.com.

A ruling has yet to be made on the request.

Image © Scott Alan / Photorazzi

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)