TLC Should Cancel '19 Kids & Counting' After Josh Duggar Admits to Once Molesting Young Girls ... But Will They?

by Julian Spivey
TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” is no stranger to controversy. Over the years the show has been controversial for the fact that Arkansas couple Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar just won’t stop having children, as well as their Christian beliefs leaving them with controversial stances on issues like homosexuality.

But, the latest controversy involving the show is too much for TLC to ignore, even though as I write this the network is airing a marathon of “19 Kids and Counting.”

It was recently brought to light that Josh Duggar, the Duggar’s 27 year old eldest son, who was the executive director of the Family Research Council, an anti-gay hate group as registered by the Southern Poverty Law Center, sexually molested young girls, including his sisters, when he was a teenager.

Josh Duggar was the subject of a police investigation, which was apparently swept under the rug, for allegedly molesting five girls starting around 2002 when he was 14 years old. According to the police report Josh Duggar fondled the genitals and breasts of the younger girls, some of whom were sleeping at the time.

Earlier today Josh Duggar admitted that the accusations against him were, in fact, true and apologized for his “inexcusable” teenage actions saying he “would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions.” He resigned his post from the FRC as a result of his admission.

Unfortunately legal action can’t be taken against Josh Duggar, despite his admission of guilt, because the statute of limitations has run, according to a TMZ article. Duggar is currently married with three children, one of them a daughter, and expecting another daughter in July. One would wonder has he changed enough in 13 years to be safe around his children, especially those daughters?

The law might not be able to do anything about Josh Duggar’s past transgressions at this point, but his television network TLC sure can. TLC must finally step in and cancel “19 Kids and Counting,” currently in its tenth season. This family of bigoted, pedophilic, zealots has finally gone too far. Josh Duggar might have only been a 14-year old when he committed his disturbing and disgusting acts, but even 14-year olds know those are unlawful and horrible things to do.

Yet TLC seems to be reveling in the controversy airing a “19 Kids and Counting” marathon tonight when it could have easily and obviously should have pulled the show from its schedule. TLC seems to realize that scandal and controversy can drive ratings and opted to keep the show on its schedule instead. If the network won’t even pull the show from its schedule on the day that one of the show’s stars admits to once sexually assaulting minors how could one expect them to do the right thing and cancel the series.

It looks like the law or TLC aren’t going to do anything about Duggar’s crimes … and the only punishment he will receive is having to resign from a registered hate group.

Do you think “19 Kids & Counting” should be cancelled?

  

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