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Josh Duggar Releases Statement After Molestation Scandal: 'I Acted Inexcusably'

Josh Duggar Releases Statement After Molestation Scandal: 'I Acted Inexcusably'

19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar is responding to allegations that he sexually molested several underage girls while he was a teenager.

“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret,” the 27-year-old reality star told People. “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‘s parents Jim Bob and Michelle said, “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.”

“I can imagine the shock many of you are going through reading this. I remember feeling that same shock,” Josh‘s wife Anna said. “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 every difficult past mistakes.”

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