TLC Pulls '19 Kids' Amid Josh Duggar Reports
TLC is dropping "19 Kids and Counting" from its lineup amid reports that eldest son Josh Duggar was accused of molesting underage girls as a teenager.
According to the People website, TLC faced an angry backlash on social media when it aired a "19 Kids" marathon on Thursday.
Today, it released a statement reading: "Effective immediately, TLC has pulled all episodes of '19 Kids and Counting' currently from the air. We are deeply saddened and troubled by this heartbreaking situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and victims at this difficult time."
In Touch magazine reported this week that Josh Duggar was investigated in 2006 for alleged misconduct when he was 14 years old. The police report doesn't provide his name, but it provides his parents' names.
In the wake of the allegations, the Duggars released separate statements acknowledging 12 years ago they "went through one of the most difficult times of their lives."
Josh posted on Facebook, "Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably, for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret."
"I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life," he wrote. "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."
His parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, also posted a statement about the reports on their son's Facebook page.
"We pray that as people watch our lives they see that we are not a perfect family," they wrote. "We have challenges and struggles everyday. It is one of the reasons we treasure our faith so much because God's kindness and goodness and forgiveness are extended to us even though we are so undeserving."
Josh has also resigned from his position as executive director of the Family Research Council's lobbying arm, FRC Action.
