TLC pulls their longest running and highest rated program, 19 Kids and Counting, off the air after the network discovered a shocking molestation cover-up. Although the Duggar family’s show has not officially been cancelled at this time, it has been removed from the network’s lineup.
“Effective immediately, TLC has pulled all episodes of 19 Kids and Counting currently from the air,” said the network in a statement Friday afternoon. “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.”
The big news comes just one day after Josh Duggar, the eldest son of the family, admitted that he molested young girls when he was a teen… and that his parents covered it up!
“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,” Josh, 27, said in a statement. “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.”
Jim Bob and Michelle released their own statement saying, “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.”
Unfortunately for TLC, the Duggar child molestation scandal is just one of many incidents involving inappropriate behavior by a TLC star with a minor. Last fall, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo was cancelled after photos emerged of mama June Shannon with her ex Mark McDaniel who had recently been released from jail after serving time for molesting an 8-year-old girl–one of Shannon’s daughters.
In 2014, Sons of Guns star and former Marine Will Hayden was charged with child molestation and one count of child rape, following his then 12-year-old daughter’s claim that she was “orally and vaginally raped almost daily, but did not report it because he threatened her physically.” Several months following the child’s claim, Hayden’s eldest daughter revealed she too had been raped by her father. Hayden is currently awaiting trail.
But it doesn’t stop there… Another reality show the network had to cancel following a scandal was Cheer Perfection after mother Andrea Clevenger received two 10 year prison sentences when she was found guilty of having multiple sexual encounters with a boy in 2013 who was just 13-years-old. Remigio Gonzalez of Cake Boss, who married the sister of the show’s character Buddy Valastro, also received nine years in prison in 2012 after he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl.
