UPDATE: TLC Pulls 19 Kids and Counting Amid Josh Duggar Child Molestation Accusations And Mama June's Threats
Posted on Fri May 22nd, 2015 9:53am PDT By X17 Staff
UPDATE:
TLC has pulled 19 Kids and Counting after allegations that one of the show's stars, Josh Duggar, molested at least five young girls, reports TMZ.
Yesterday former TLC reality star Mama June Shannon went on a rant about the network's decision to continue airing the show after the molestation reports popped up online this week. As you may know, Shannon's show, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo was cancelled last year after reports surfaced that she was dating a convicted child molester, Mark McDaniel. McDaniel also allegedly molested Shannon’s own daughter, Anna Cardwell.
The other day In Touch Weekly obtained a copy of a police report that shows Duggar was investigated for multiple sex offenses against five underage girls, some of which may have been his younger sisters. The reports, which were hidden since 2006, show that Duggar confessed to his father, Jim Bob Duggar, who then waited over than a year to contact police about the incident.
Shannon is so mad she's threatening to sue the network, and she told TMZ yesterday, “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." When one of Shannon's Twitter followers wrote, "#honeybooboo got x'd for june ASSOCIATING w/a child molester. One of #19Kids IS a child molester and #tlc runs a marathon," Shannon replied, "exactly ... But I wasn't dating one and no they r going to not cancel them it's f****ed up @TLC."
As far as the Duggar family's attempts at damage control, Josh, 27, posted the below statement on his Facebook page on Thursday:
- "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. 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 Michelle Duggar added in their own 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. We pray that as people watch our lives they see that we are not a perfect family. 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. 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."
We don't even know what to say, other than we'd be happy if both of these shows stayed off the air forever...