Report: Duggars knew of son's molestation acts, failed to report it for months



LITTLE ROCK -- Josh Duggar, one of the members of the family that stars in TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting," told his parents he touched his sisters, inTouch Weekly reports, but they waited at least 16 months before contacting any authorities.

Now, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar could face up to six years in prison for failing to report their son's abusive acts.

According to police documents secured by inTouch Weekly,  27-year-old Josh Duggar confessed to his father on three separate occasions in 2002 that he performed multiple acts of molestation against his sisters and a family friend. Duggar was 15 when he allegedly came to his parents upset and crying, the documents state, and told them that he had touched his sisters while they were sleeping.



The girls were living in a communal room at the time.

Jim Bob Duggar and his wife waited 16 months before they contacted authorities, documents show. The behavior allegedly worsened during the months, police said.

The Duggars did eventually take Josh to a state trooper, who is currently serving time behind bars in an unrelated case. The trooper was only told of one alleged molestation incident, he told inTouch Weekly in a jail interview, and didn't report the child abuse.

Josh, 27, apparently cannot be charged due to the statute of limitations.

He released a statement last month:

“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 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 also has resigned from his position with the Family Research Council, according to People.

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