May 31, 2015

Josh Duggar Apologizes

“19 Kids and Counting” son Josh Duggar has issued an apology following a bombshell report alleging he molested five minor girls, some of his sisters included, more than a decade ago.

“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret,” Duggar, now 27, said in a statement to People magazine. “I hurt others, including my family and close friends.”

According to police documents obtained by In Touch magazine, Springfield, Arkansas, cops opened a felony investigation in 2006 after someone tipped off authorities.

The allegations against the oldest Duggar child, now a married father of three, trace back to 2002, when he confessed one such incident to family patriarch Jim Bob. Josh’s father, however, reportedly waited more than a year to contact police after Josh, a minor at the time, owned up to his actions.

Josh’s statement continued:

    ‘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 would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions. I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God’s grace, mercy and redemption.’

Jim Bob and wife Michelle, known for their strong religious beliefs, told People in a joint statement, “Back 12 years ago our family went through one of the most difficult times of our lives. 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.”

Josh’s wife, Anna Keller, is also standing by the reality star. She says Josh told her of his “past teenage mistakes” before he popped the question. The couple wed in 2008.

    ‘I can imagine the shock many of you are going through reading this. I remember feeling that same shock. When my family and I first visited the Duggar home, Josh shared his past teenage mistakes. I was surprised at his openness and humility and at the same time didn’t know why he was sharing it. For Josh, he wanted not just me but my parents to know who he really was – even very difficult past mistakes.’

Anna says counseling has “changed his life.”

After the police report went public through In Touch, Josh resigned from his post at the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group and lobbying organization, People reports.

Josh and Anna are expecting their fourth child together, a baby girl, in July. –Source: NY Post

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