Parents, Police, Church Fail Victims: How Josh Duggar Got Away With His Sick Crimes In 10 Clicks
Feb. 8 2016, Updated 1:23 p.m. ET
Despite molesting five minor females as a teenager, Josh Duggar has never been prosecuted for his heinous crimes. RadarOnline.com explores how the hardcore Christian 19 Kids And Counting star, now 27, got away with his disgusting behavior.
Despite molesting five minor females as a teenager, Josh Duggar has never been prosecuted for his heinous crimes. RadarOnline.com explores how the hardcore Christian 19 Kids And Counting star, now 27, got away with his disgusting behavior.
According to the leaked police report, Josh's parents Jim Bob and Michelle first knew about the sexual abuse in March 2002, when their eldest child was just 14. One of the victims, who lived in the family home, said Josh had been sneaking into her bedroom and "touching…on the breasts and vaginal areas."
Jim Bob later told police that Josh was "disciplined" for his behavior four months later.
After more instances of molestation, Jim Bob says he consulted his church elders about the abuse in 2003. They decided to send Josh to a Christian counseling program in their native Arkansas— but no one contacted the police.
Jim Bob said he first contacted the authorities after Josh returned from rehab in July 2003. The father/son pair visited Arkansas state trooper Joseph T. Hutchens, a family friend. Shockingly, the trooper failed to report Josh's behavior. According to Jim Bob, Hutchens said "there was nothing else to do."
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In a strange twist, Hutchens was arrested on child porn charges in 2007 and 2010, and is currently serving a nearly 60 year prison sentence.
The case stayed quiet for more than three years. In 2006, the family was set to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show. However, an anonymous tipster contacted Winfrey's Harpo studios, warning them about Josh's history of molestation. Harpo promptly contacted a human services hotline, and the case was finally opened for investigation.
Around the same time, an anonymous caller relayed the sad story to a local child abuse hotline. According to the Duggars, the mysterious caller had learned about the molestation in a letter accidently placed in a loaned book.
All of the victims were interviewed, and the case began to build momentum. However, since none of the sex abuse incidents had occurred within the past three years, Josh could not be prosecuted for his actions. "Detective Hignite had not been able to locate an offence inside the statute of limitations of three years for sexual assault," the police report reads.
The Duggars kept their shameful secret silent for nine years. In 2015, the police report was exposed to the public by In Touch.
Now, Josh is finally facing repercussions for his past actions. The soon-to-be father of four was forced to resign from his job at the Family Research Council, and fans are even calling for TLC to cancel the clan's show.