It’s now official ’19 Kids and Counting’ is cancelled. TLC will be pulling the Duggars off the air after Josh Duggar’s criminal investigation shocker. The network is currently cashing in on the Duggar family scandal, but if Mama June has anything to say about it, the family should be kicked off the air faster than you can say sex offender.
Josh Duggar, the oldest of the Duggar family, is under fire after a police report from 2002 surfaced proving the rumors the family had a deep, dark secret. The report, obtained by In Touch, reveals the details of Josh Duggar’s sexual assault of 5 minor girls, including his own sisters.
Josh was 14-years-old when he “forcibly fondled” the little girls. The report states one of the victims told Jim Bob in March of 2002 Josh touched her inappropriately while she slept. Josh admitted to fondling the minor’s breasts while she slept. Instead of alerting authorities, Jim Bob Duggar “disciplined” Josh.
In March of 2003, Josh’s sexual assaults continued, and “there was another incident” reported by another female minor. More girls eventually stepped forward and confirmed Josh Duggar forcibly fondled her. When and which one of Josh Duggar’s sisters he sexually assaulted were not shared.
Upon learning of the multiple counts of molestation, Jim Bob “met with the elders of his church” to inform them of the assaults, according to In Touch. Still, the police were not involved. Instead, Josh Duggar was sent to “a Christian program [that] consisted of hard physical work and counseling. James said that [redacted, Josh] was in the program from March 17, 2003 until July 17, 2003.” However, Michelle Duggar later told police there was no counseling program, and Josh had been “sent away” to stay with a family friend who was in the remodeling business. Police asked if the friend was meant to be a mentor for Josh, but Michelle answered, “kind of.” So, to be clear, the Duggar family didn’t send Josh to counseling for repeatedly sexually assault girls – including his own sisters – they sent him to learn how to paint an accent wall.
The Duggar family did report the incident in 2003, nearly a year after the initial assault, to family friend, Arkansas State Trooper, Jim Hutchens. The officer gave Josh a “very stern talk” and did not take any official action. It should be noted that Hutchens is currently serving 56 years in prison for child pornography.
Of course, the family contends that Josh apologized and “turned back to God,” so all was forgiven. Josh Duggar’s wife, Anna Duggar, is also standing by Josh claiming she knew of the assaults and felt the counseling – which he did NOT get – “changed” him.
The family managed to keep Josh Duggar’s sex offender status quiet until 2006 when the Duggar family was due to have an interview with Oprah. One of the victims wrote to Harpo Studios and the case blew open, but Jim Bob hired an attorney and Josh Duggar refused to cooperate with the felony investigation. Eventually, the statute of limitations expired on the offenses which would have been prosecuted as sexual assault in the second degree according to criminal defense attorneys speaking with the media. It’s a class B felony and the limitations expired after 3 years. Since the incident was reported nearly 12 years ago, and no action was taken, nothing can be done now unless new, unreported cases, are shared.
TLC isn’t handling the situation well. Fans are demanding ’19 Kids and Counting’ be cancelled, as the homophobic Duggar family continues their run with the network despite the disgusting scandal. In fact, TLC ran a ’19 Kids and Counting’ marathon in answer to Josh Duggar forcibly fondling little girls – including his own sisters!
Mama June is fuming mad TLC has not only allowed the show featuring a sex offender to continue, but is cashing in on the press. If you missed it, ‘Here Comes Honey Boo Boo’ was cancelled after images of Mama June with convicted child molester, Mark McDaniel, hit the net. McDaniel was never on the show, but TLC axed the series within hours of the photos going public according to TMZ. Mama June told the media outlet, “I read that the Duggar family said, this happening with their son brought them closer to God and each other. So they’re saying it’s ok to have family touch time? Hell no.”
It’s a sad day when Mama June is making more sense than a network. What do you think? Should TLC cancel ’19 Kids and Counting?’ Are they waiting to axe the show to enjoy the media circus, first? Let us know in the comment section below!
Update: as CDL first predicted would happen, TLC has decided to remove ’19 Kids and Counting’ from its schedule and thankfully, the show is cancelled.
