‘19 Kids And Counting’ Canceled After Josh Duggar Admitted Molesting Five Girls; Did TLC Know About The Child Molestation Scandal?
Althea Serad | | May 25, 2015 12:58 AM EDT |
(Photo : Brian Frank/Reuters) "19 Kids and Counting" stars Josh Duggar and wife Anna Duggar are reportedly expecting their fifth baby.
TLC's hit reality series "19 Kids and Counting" was canceled Thursday after Josh Duggar, the show's oldest son, admitted to molesting five girls, four of which were his sisters, when he was still a teenager.
"Effective immediately, TLC has pulled all episodes of 19 Kids and Counting currently from the air," Discovery Communications told the media through a statement. "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."
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However, Discovery has yet to comment whether the show's cancelation is temporary or for good, according to Deadline.
Josh Duggar, 27, admitted the child molestation Thursday via the Duggar family Facebook page. Apart from admitting that he molested five girls as a teenager, he went into some details as well, saying that he molested them while they were asleep.
"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," Josh said.
However, despite "19 Kids and Counting" getting canceled, it is still unknown whether TLC was aware about Duggar's molestation scandal before airing the show, which could mean complications for the cable channel if proven.
In 2006, a police report revealed that though Josh admitted his crime to his father, Jim Bob, Jim still waited for a year before revealing to the police what Josh had committed. "The Oprah Winfrey Show" called Arkansas authorities in the same year after learning about the case. They also canceled a show with the Duggar family, according to The Boston Herald.
If "The Oprah Winfrey Show" was tipped about the Duggars, then why did TLC producers not know about the police report? It appears that they either did not know, or even if they knew, they still made stars of the Duggars when the show was aired in 2008.
Since the confession, Josh resigned from the Family Research Council, one of the leading groups in the United States advocating against gay marriage. He may have confessed, but Josh is now being publicly criticized because of his actions.
On Twitter, talk show host Montel Williams called John a "slimebag" and a "bigot" because of his opinion against gays.
It appears TLC is being scrutinized as well, not just for "19 Kids and Counting" but for its other reality shows that have made stars of unconventional citizens.
The network's previous hit "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" was canned in 2014 after matriarch "Mama June" Shannon was found having a relationship with an ex-convict who she knows molested one of her daughters, reported The Washington Post.
Meanwhile, the marathon of "19 Kids and Counting" had already begun before TLC canceled the show, giving way to more questions with the network's decisions.
Tags19 kids and counting canceled, TLC, June Shannon, josh duggar, duggars, josh duggar child molestation, 19 Kids and Counting, 19 kids and counting child molestation
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