What we don’t know about the incidents years ago is if it was a “you show me yours and I’ll show you mine” kind of thing, or if there was actually touching involved.
IMO, there’s a big difference.
@scholarme-
That makes two of us, I don’t understand reality shows around families, and the appeal of them, to me it is simply another kind of freak show that in the end, usually ends up with the family in pieces or otherwise having problems. I am especially upset when it involves kids, like the proposed shows featuring transgendered kids, while there may be a goal of educating people, I try not to doubt the sincerity of the parents in this case, what they may be doing is putting a target on the families back, where people watch the show and instead of getting educated or understanding, watch it like they watched honey boo boo, in horror. Reality tv to me is one step up (a small step) from Jerry Springer, it is cheap to produce and unfortunately attracts huge ratings.
That’s not true. This was reported in the article linked to in the OP:
According to the police reports, mere “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours” is not what was ever alleged, and it certainly doesn’t seem like that is the case even from Josh’s own statements. All of the allegations reference “forcible fondling” of minor girls.
Look at this past week’s cable ratings here:
Nearly 3 million people watched that show last week.
I cannot find words to express my disgust with the whole situation. So sad for the victims… and the wife and kids of the perp.
Me too, BB.
Of course, Mike Huckabee may disagree. He just came out in support of the family saying that “good people make mistakes.” Of course good people make mistakes, but good people must also own up to the consequences of actions, which may (should?) include jail time, CPS intervention, and/or cancellation of their show.
It’s troubling that there was not enough adult supervision to prevent the oldest from sexually assaulting five of his younger sisters.
And that they have " forgiven", him, although one siblings now also says that they do not feel safe in their home.
I’m concerned about the ages of the children, and I wonder what the CPS investigation concluded.
I’m very sorry for the kids of the perp, but honestly – he should never been allowed to have children living in the house with him. One sexual abuse of a minor is too many, but FIVE? Over two years? He is unfit as a parent. Period.
I don’t think much of his wife, to whom he apparently confessed prior to their marriage. Having children with a confessed child molester? She was either publicity-crazy or nuts. Maybe both.
The show should definitely be pulled off air. To do anything else would be seen as condoning the behavior. That guy from “7th Heaven” his show in reruns was yanked and he lost acting jobs. Bill Cosby’s show was pulled off cable. These sex predators need to be shunned not celebrated.
In absolutely, 100% no way am I excusing this behavior. Let me just preface with that. I think everything about these people is disgusting and vile. I am sure if there is a god that s/he is facepalming hard over what s/he created.
With that said, this doesn’t really surprise me. Kids are naturally curious about sex and bodies and when you don’t teach them anything, they will explore on their own. Mostly not with siblings but when that’s the only opposite sex people you have around…
Again, absolutely NOT defending or excusing. I think CPS and the court system should have been involved a decade ago. More than anything, I’m just surprised it took so long to come out and I’d bet more than my last penny that this is not the only male family member involved in these types of things.
It looks like Josh was caught in 2005 and that the TV show started in 2008. (Forgive me if I’m wrong - I “researched” this in about 60 seconds.) Is it an example of money corrupting that the parents thought it would be a good idea to spotlight their family on TV?
I’m telling myself that there’s an off chance that having TV cameras around possibly protected the sisters to some degree.
They see the TV show as part of their mission, spreading the word.
I feel for the victims, too, I have personal experience with the effects of abuse (not myself, fortunately) of this kind, and it does serious damage that can take a long time to heal from.
@emeraldkity4, where did you see where one sibling says they feel unsafe? I only ask because I would be so surprised if the siblings were even allowed to comment on this incident. I bet the girls were told that this was no big deal and maybe they should be more modest as to not be a temptation. So terrible.
How could TLC keep this show on the air when they yanked Honey Boo Boo for similar sexual abuse accusations? It’s time to end all these reality shows.
TLC just pulled the show
https://www.yahoo.com/tv/tlc-pulls-19-kids-and-counting-in-wake-of-josh-119614188615.html
@spring162, again, it was in the article linked to in the original post:
No, looks like his parents were aware of his proclivities even earlier than that.
It is interesting that the state cop who didn’t report the crime hasn’t faced further charges. I don’t know when the abuse happened, but within the last 10 years or so, there are mandatory reporting rules if an official knows that children were abused, he could face a lot more charges on top of the child porn charges he was convicted of.