The "19 Kids And Counting" star, Josh Duggars, has issued a public apology on Thursday following the media reports that he had molested underage girls as a teenager. The 27-year-old eldest child of the Duggars family released a statement saying that as a young teenager he had acted inexcusably.
"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," wrote the TV personality in his Facebook account.
The Duggars, who are known for following strict Christian guidelines including not practicing birth control and following strict courtship rules, came under media attack when InTouch published a detailed article on the 2006 deeds of Josh, detailing the accusations and investigation of child molestation in Springdale, CNN reported.
Josh's parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, reportedly named in the report. The couple also disclosed on Thursday following the media backlash that when Josh was a teenager, he committed bad mistakes, but was brought back to the right path by corrective measures and counseling.
The Duggars are the part of a long running show on cable network TLC chronicles the daily struggles and triumphs of a conservative family in Arkansas with a large brood of 19 children and several grandchildren.
Following the allegation, Josh resigned from his job at the Family Research Council, a Christian lobbying group based in Washington D.C.
Meanwhile, Josh's wife, Anna Duggar, had declared that she was aware of her husband's past teenage mistakes, much before she got married in the reality show's family, NBC News reported. The couple has three children and has recently announced the fourth pregnancy.