The Josh Duggar sex scandal has rocked the Internet over the past few days, and more info keeps coming out regarding it. TLC’s hit show 19 Kids & Counting has been taken off the schedule and could very well be cancelled, but there’s more. Now, info is coming out about the treatment center that Josh Duggar was sent to, and its founder actually left amid accusations that he was “sexually grooming” young women and teens.
According to Radar Online , Josh Duggar was taken by his father, Jim Bob Duggar, to the Basic Life Principles Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was taken there after he admitted to molesting five young girls, including some of his sisters.
The Institute in Basic Life Principles (ILBP) was founded in 1961 by Christian writer and minister Bob Gothard.
Gothard left the center in 2014 with accusations coming down on him of sexually grooming and inappropriately touching young women in his ministry. Some time later, Gothard was cleared of wrongdoing, but he resigned while the scandal was at its height.
“Now, the centers claim to ‘strengthen individuals and families through sound Biblical teaching and character development opportunities and to demonstrate Christ’s love through serving,’ according to a church website.”
The ILBP has some other issues in the past as well.
A number of alumni have questioned the methods used by the treatment center. John Krull is an Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union and he called the center an “appalling shadow world where kids almost disappear” after Child Protective Services began investigating complaints.
Harold Walker, a former leader at the center, did confirm that Josh Duggar was there.
“I really don’t remember the circumstances on why Josh came to our center,” Walker said, “He came down … they used to work at the center, the entire family did.”
Records show that Josh Duggar was in the Arkansas treatment center from March 17-July 17, 2003. Apparently, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are confident that their son got the help he needed.
“…they were both comfortable that nothing had occurred since [redacted] went through the program in Little Rock. They both felt that [redacted] no longer had any problem and that all of this had been resolved.”
For now, TLC has completely dropped 19 Kids & Counting from their television schedule, according to Fox News . TLC has called the scandal with Josh Duggar a “heartbreaking situation” and that their “thoughts and prayers are with the family and victims at this difficult time.”
Just this past Thursday, a marathon of the Duggars’ television show had run. As of now, 19 Kids & Counting is on the chopping block and could very well be cancelled. Now, with disturbing news of Josh Duggar ‘s treatment center coming out, TLC may have no choice but to get rid of the show.
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