Reality star Duggar resigns from Family Research Council

Josh Duggar, one of the stars of “19 Kids and Counting,” is speaking out in response to reports that he was once accused of molesting several underage girls as a teen.

“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret,” Duggar, 27, said in a statement Thursday posted on the Duggar family’s Facebook page. “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,” he added. “I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life. I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God’s grace, mercy and redemption.”

The response came after In Touch magazine published a 2006 police report that claims Duggar, now married with three children, sexually molested five girls as far back as 2002. The incidents were not reported to police until 2006, In Touch added, and authorities could not pursue charges because the statute of limitations had passed.

Duggar, the oldest of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children, resigned from his position at the Family Research Council in Washington in the wake of the revelations.

Click here to read the full CBS News story.