The future of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting has been placed in doubt following reports that family member Josh Duggar allegedly has a history of molesting, sexually assaulting, and “forcibly fondling” young girls, including his own sisters, per In Touch Weekly (via TVGuide).
In response to the leaked reports, Duggar released a statement to People in which he seemingly verified the report, and has resigned from his position at the Family Research Council:
“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.”
In October 2014, TLC cancelled Here Comes Honey Boo Boo in the wake of reports that Mama June was dating a convicted child molester. It remains to be seen whether TLC will follow the same course of action with 19 Kids and Counting, which has yet to be renewed for Season 11.
Watch this space as we continue to monitor the status of 19KAC…
Jo Harris says
Seriously?! He was 14!
Don’t people have better things to do than get in an uproar over something a child did? And has already put right!
It must be a really slow news day.
Helga Ganguly says
He molested no less than 5 little girls and 4 were his sisters.The “child” in any church I know of was old enough to take communion and be confirmed in the faith. And though the skimmed over it,coveting thy neighbor’s ass was in there,as well as your sister’s.
Carlos says
Child molestation at any age is inexcusable, what’s wrong with you? Glad this freak show is now potentially off the air.
kim says
I think what he did was horrible and inexcusable, but there has been no problem airing the show until now. He admitted to his wrong doing and it is up to god to judge him not TLC and us. I do not think the show should be cancelled because of his past. The show has been running all these years with no problem until this became public. If shows continuation is solely based on past indiscretions, then we would have nothing to watch. I think what he did is wrong and sad and put a lot of peoples live in turmoil, but I think he has made up for it. He has to live with what he did everyday of his life. None of us or perfect saints. It took a lot for him to publicly admit what he did, leave him andhs family be and continue to air the show.
Rose says
In my opinion, the show should NOT be cancelled. Instead, what should be done is to take the horrible crime that the teenage Josh Dugger had committed and incorporate it into the seasons episode. It would bring the issue out into the open and open peoples eyes. Allow people to see that even the people who claim to be God fearing good living people, make mistakes and so are not perfect. It should be discussed even if the girls that he did that to be spared being put into a confession situation but definitely put Josh Dugger into a confession, asking for forgiveness and to put out there to all of America that what he did was wrong. Who knows, if it stops even one crime from happening and opens a wrong doers eyes then good could come from it. He should let the viewers know how guilt feels and how it feels to own up to his abnormal actions. What do you all think? It might also help the girls put it to a closure. Trust me I was in that situation of having been sexually assaulted many years ago and if my assailant had to publicly confess and own up to the crime, I would have felt a sense of closure. Michelle, Jim Bob and Josh would admit that even they are far from perfect. And ask for public forgiveness.