UNITED STATES
International Business Times
By Caitlyn Hitt
Even more disturbing details have emerged surrounding the Josh Duggar molestation scandal. New reports reveal the nature of the “19 Kids and Counting” reality star’s crimes as well as just how many times his alleged behavior occurred.
According to a police report, issued by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas and obtained by In Touch, Josh, now 27, had inappropriately touched five underraged girls on several occasions between 2002 and 2003. The report reveals that Josh “had just turned 14” when he first went to his parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, about his behavior. The eldest Duggar child reportedly admitted that he “had been touching [redacted, his sisters] on the breasts and vaginal areas” as they slept. He claimed this “occurred four to five times.” Josh also said he once “fondled” the breasts of a close family friend who had been sleeping on the family’s couch.
Josh’s behavior was not limited to sleeping victims. According to the police report, he groped one of his sisters as she sat in his lap reading in March 2013. At the time, Josh’s sister was reportedly 5 years old. The young girl, whose name had been redacted from the document, went to Jim Bob, who is referred to by his legal name, James, in the report, and Michelle following the incident.
“James said that [redacted] was reading to his 5 year old sister and as she was sitting on his lap, he had touched her breasts and vaginal areas. James said that [redacted] then ran out of the room and called him and told him what he had done,” reads the police report.
Rather than report the crime, the “19 Kids and Counting” stars sent Josh to a Christian program where he was forced to do manual labor. It wasn’t until nearly 16 months after the initial confession that the now-famous reality TV parents got Josh and his victims into counseling. It remains unclear if the counseling was by choice or court ordered. Legal sources claim Jim Bob and Michelle could face jail time for their failure to take action after learning about the abuse.
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