There’s a huge scandal surrounding the family from TLC’s reality show, “19 Kids & Counting.” According to Daily Mail, anew report claims that 19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar (the oldest of the 19 kids on the show, pictured bottom right) was named in an underage sexual abuse probe in 2005 and turned in to police by his father Jim Bob after he was caught in a young girl’s room. Josh is now 27 years old.
Josh Duggar is accused of molesting several minors while he was a minor himself. His father allegedly turned him in to police a year after Josh confessed to him. In 2002, Josh’s father says a female minor alerted him that Josh would fondle her breasts and genitals while she slept. They assured her they would discipline Josh and did not alert authorities at the time. Josh was 14 at the time. Nine months after that incident another female minor accused Josh of fondling her breasts and genitals as well, and several more came after her, claiming he would touch them while they slept, and sometimes while awake. Josh’s parents then met with elders at the church, who also did not alert authorities, but put him in a counseling program.
According to the Duggar family, Josh apologized to his victims and their parents and they forgave him.
From what I could find, no allegations had been made in over a decade, but as it is with reality TV, someone dug up this information and brought it to light once again. Over the last couple of days the media has been in a frenzy over the news of Josh’s past. This forced Josh to not only resign from his position at the Family Research Council, but also address the situation head on.
In a statement he says, “Twelve years ago, as a young teenager I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends. I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life. I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God’s grace, mercy and redemption.”
As said before, Josh is now 27 years old, with a wife and kids of his own. Do you think he should be able to move forward from these acts or forever pay the price for what he did?
