TLC has pulled episodes of its reality hit “19 Kids and Counting” on the heels of revelations that the family’s oldest son was accused of molesting five underage girls 12 years ago when he was a teenager.
Reps for TLC would not comment but a source confirmed the series was off the schedule for the foreseeable future. Word of the allegations against Josh Duggar, now 27 and married with children of his own, surfaced earlier this week. The Arkansas-based family issued a lengthy statement to People magazine on Thursday acknowledging the past incidents.
“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,” Duggar said in a statement to People. “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.”
The fact that the incidents apparently came to the attention of law enforcement officials raises questions about whether TLC or Discovery Communications executives were aware of Josh Duggar’s past when the series about the expansive Duggar clan was greenlighted in 2008 after the family was featured in a series of specials. It’s unclear if charges were ever filed against Josh Duggar.
The hasty shelving of the show echoes the situation last year that forced TLC to cancel another successful docu series, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” after the matriarch of the series was accused of dating a man who had been convicted on child molestation charges.
The show, which bowed as “17 Kids and Counting,” revolves around the extended family of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, parents of Josh, who also issued a statement to People.
“Back 12 years ago our family went through one of the most difficult times of our lives,” the pair said in a statement. “When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes, and we were shocked. We had tried to teach him right from wrong. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before.”
