Josh, his wife Anna as well as his parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar admit and apologize following the child molestation rumors surrounding Josh which emerged earlier this week.
- May 22, 2015
AceShowbiz - The Duggars of "19 Kids and Counting" have broken their silence on the child molestation rumors surrounding Josh Duggar. Josh himself admitted to have sexually molested minor girls as a teen. He said in a statement to PEOPLE on Thursday, May 21, "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," he 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."
Josh has decided to resign from his position at the Family Research Council after the story emerged. He said he continued living with regret. "I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions," he stated, "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."
His family, however, has stood behind him. His wife Anna Duggar said Josh confessed his "past teenage mistakes" to her two years before he popped the question to her and she has remained supportive of him.
"I can imagine the shock many of you are going through reading this. I remember feeling that same shock," Anna shared, "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."
She added, "He continued to do what he was taught. [I know] who Josh really is - someone who had gone down a wrong path and had humbled himself before God and those whom he had offended. Someone who had received the help needed to change the direction of his life and do what is right."
Josh's parents Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar, meanwhile, said 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."
They continued, "Even though we would never choose to go through something so terrible, each one of our family members drew closer to God. We pray that as people watch our lives they see that we are not a perfect family. We have challenges and struggles every day. 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. We hope somehow the story of our journey - the good times and the difficult times - cause you to see the kindness of God and learn that He can bring you through anything."
