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Josh Duggar, 27, the son, issued an apology Thursday,
acknowledging "wrongdoing," but did not directly address
allegations reported by In Touch magazine and other websites.
"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," TLC said in a statement.
TLC, which is owned by Discovery Communications, did not say if
it was planning to cancel the show. The program, which has been
on the air since 2008 and concluded its 10th season this month,
is not currently in production.
The show chronicles the struggles and triumphs of the
conservative family of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, in Arkansas.
It concluded its 10th season this month.
Josh Duggar issued a statement Thursday saying he felt remorse.
"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 said in the
statement, posted on the Duggar Family Facebook page.
Duggar also resigned from his job at the Family Research
Council, a Christian lobbying group based in Washington, D.C.
The apology came after In Touch published a document it said it
obtained from Arkansas' Springdale Police Department alleging
multiple instances in which Duggar molested underage girls.
The police department on Friday told Reuters that Duggar had
never been arrested on the allegations and that it had received
a court order on Thursday to destroy all copies of the document
to protect an alleged victim.
The Duggars received support on Friday from an influential
conservative voice, former Arkansas governor and presidential
candidate Mike Huckabee.
"Josh's actions when he was an underage teen are as he described
them himself, 'inexcusable,' but that doesn’t mean
'unforgivable,'" Huckabee said on his Facebook page.
"He and his family dealt with it and were honest and open about
it with the victims and the authorities."
The Duggar family, whose TV success has made them staples of
celebrity magazines, did not respond to requests for comment
after TLC pulled the show's episodes.
(Writing by Mary Milliken; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Leslie
Adler)
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