Josh Duggar alleged sexual abuse - new developments

[NotALoserLikeYou]

Did I miss a thread, no one posted this?

 

starcasm.net/archives/316103

 

 

Quote

According to a new report, 19 Kids and Counting‘s Josh Duggar was investigated by the Arkansas State Police in 2005 for the alleged sexual abuse a female minor. Josh would have been 16 or 17 at the time.

 

In the new issue, InTouch cites “multiple sources who have seen the police report and are familiar with the case†who said Josh was turned into cops after dad Jim Bob Duggar found him leaving the minor’s room and “learned something inappropriate happened.†A source added the incident involved “inappropriate touching,†which could have resulted in a sexual assault in the fourth degree charge

 

The case was allegedly turned over to an officer for investigation, but everything came to a halt when that officer was convicted on child pornography charges. The Crimes Against Children Division and Springdale Police Department reportedly then got involved, but the statute of limitations had passed at that point because of the first officer’s inactivity.

 

“A technicality prevented any further action,†a source said. “That’s been the biggest regret in all of this.â€

 

Sgt. Darrel Hignite, who was identified as being involved in the case, declined to elaborate on the report — but seemed to confirm there was an investigation. He said, “I can’t comment or discuss because of the sensitive nature and because it involved a juvenile.â€

 

It has been previously reported that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar sent Josh to ALERT, a bootcamp-style training camp designed by controversial IBLP founder Bill Gothard. A short time after he returned, he met and married Anna Duggar. They now have three children with a fourth on the way and live in Washington D.C., where Josh is the executive director of conservative lobbying group FRC Action.

 

No one from the Duggar family has responded to the report.

 

 

 

[NotALoserLikeYou]

This stands out the most for me

Sgt. Darrel Hignite, who was identified as being involved in the case, declined to elaborate on the report — but seemed to confirm there was an investigation. He said, “I can’t comment or discuss because of the sensitive nature and because it involved a juvenile.â€

[NotALoserLikeYou]

intouchweekly.com/posts/19-kids-and-counting-son-named-in-underage-sex-probe-58751

First of all, I have no doubt they took the longtime rumors found here and probed them to see if they could find a paper trail.

I wonder how legit this is.

[NotALoserLikeYou]

Commenters are saying that he could have been fooling around with another teen, but that wouldn't have been investigated. There would have had to have been an age difference. Like the girl was 10 and he was 15. Or else she was asleep and woke up to it.

Who knows how reliable In Touch is.

I know it's said Raising Ruth started that rumor but I've felt like she just took a rumor and ran with it. Because I feel like I heard this rumor like a decade ago. There's no way to know what people were talking about on aol chat boards all stuff way back then that's all gone now.

Well I'll be waiting for a Duggar denial.

[zz22zz]

Is it reasonable that if Josh did something to one of JB's daughters (or even a family friend's daughter) that JB would featuring Josh on 19KAC so prominently? I certainly don't think JB is father of the year but he seems to really cherish his daughters. If what happened was so serious JB immediately called the police it seems like even under praying and forgiving mindset Josh would have gone to Alert, gotten married off, been sent to DC and all we would hear would be "Josh and Anna and family are enjoying DC"

Seems like if there really was something serious then JB would be savvy enough to keep Josh at arm's length it case it became public...especially since this rumor has been floating around for years.

I also haven't seen Starcasm or InTouch to prove to be a reliable source but I may be forgetting something they got right....I do know they have found discussion on FJ and transformed it into a story with "official" sources.

[usedtobenice]

I just saw this on Facebook. I think razing Ruth,took those rumors from another poster on twop.

I doubt we will ever know the truth.I think a police report involving two minors would not be made public, but I don't know for sure.

[zz22zz]

p.s. plus since when does any minor female that the Duggars hang with have their own room....or would have a chance to be alone in a room with Josh.

and lest anyone think I'm leghumping...I do think Josh is skeevy as hell and that is why the rumor was started...

[theinvisiblegirl]

Is it reasonable that if Josh did something to one of JB's daughters (or even a family friend's daughter) that JB would featuring Josh on 19KAC so prominently? I certainly don't think JB is father of the year but he seems to really cherish his daughters. If what happened was so serious JB immediately called the police it seems like even under praying and forgiving mindset Josh would have gone to Alert, gotten married off, been sent to DC and all we would hear would be "Josh and Anna and family are enjoying DC"

Seems like if there really was something serious then JB would be savvy enough to keep Josh at arm's length it case it became public...especially since this rumor has been floating around for years.

I also haven't seen Starcasm or InTouch to prove to be a reliable source but I may be forgetting something they got right....I do know they have found discussion on FJ and transformed it into a story with "official" sources.

In Touch got the Hank Baskett story right after the transgender woman he slept with came forward and spoke. That's the only reason why I'm not quick to discredit this story.

I'm sure we'll never get a real answer about what happened, but it doesn't surprise me that this could have been an issue at some point in Josh's life. That would could certainly explain why he was sent off to ALERT.

[Arrowoftruth]

4th degree? Is that rape? I thought third degree was the highest. I think it could be a sister (which is why this person has never come out) or someone paid off in the circle of closer friends once the show started picking up. Didn't watch the show back when it first started so I don't know if they had many friends

[socalrules]

I heard these rumors before I ever heard of Ruth. Of course, someone may have heard them from her. I don't know. What I do know is that if the rumors are true, then whoever started them are all kinds of fucked up. There is nothing worse than being accused of sexual abuse and being innocent. It follows you forever even if you are cleared of wrongdoing. Any hint of sexual abuse of a minor will bring you down if you are a celeb, Roman Rapist Polanski notwithstanding. News organizations, even the tabloid ones, running this type of story is not good for anyone involved in the show. Let's not forget how Honey Boo Boo was cancelled really fast when the scandal it and this was TLC's top rated show. It is likely that, at a minimum, if the story gains traction, TLC will at least stop featuring Josh and his family for awhile.

The truth could also me something simple like a 15 and 12 year old kissing and maybe the state has rules when it comes to age of consent. I know that some jurisdictions treat minors under 12 or 13 different than 14 and above.

[usedtobenice]

I really think it's just the repeating of old rumors,but Radar is repeating them as fact.

I hope if the incident is not true, Josh sues them for libel. I can't stand the guy's beliefs, but that is a horrible thing to be accused of.

[eh02]

Is it reasonable that if Josh did something to one of JB's daughters (or even a family friend's daughter) that JB would featuring Josh on 19KAC so prominently? I certainly don't think JB is father of the year but he seems to really cherish his daughters. If what happened was so serious JB immediately called the police it seems like even under praying and forgiving mindset Josh would have gone to Alert, gotten married off, been sent to DC and all we would hear would be "Josh and Anna and family are enjoying DC"

Seems like if there really was something serious then JB would be savvy enough to keep Josh at arm's length it case it became public...especially since this rumor has been floating around for years.

I also haven't seen Starcasm or InTouch to prove to be a reliable source but I may be forgetting something they got right....I do know they have found discussion on FJ and transformed it into a story with "official" sources.

For the record: I don't really believe this report. BUT I think it's worth noting that it is far from uncommon for families to just pretend like these things never happened.

We all want to believe that anyone we know with half a brain would hold someone who has done something very wrong accountable, but it often does not work out that way. I think pretty much every time you hear someone talk about how they were abused as a minor, their story almost ALWAYS includes other adults who knew or suspected something was going on and did not protect them. People put their heads in the sand.

Anyway, the biggest red flag to me is that Jim Bob was supposedly the one who called. I have trouble believing Jim Bob would call the cops on a 15 year old Josh, unless by chance the victim was someone who would have gone public. I think JB would try to deal with something scandalous by keeping it within the family if at all possible, personally; not that I'm saying that is the RIGHT thing to do.

[halcionne]

1. I don't think JB would call the cops on his own kid.

2. A case wouldn't be dropped because the arresting officer got caught in a scandal. Would it? Oops I see it was an investigator. But still? idk.

[Fascinated]

I really think it's just the repeating of old rumors,but Radar is repeating them as fact.

I hope if the incident is not true, Josh sues them for libel. I can't stand the guy's beliefs, but that is a horrible thing to be accused of.

Absolutely! I really have my doubts about the veracity of these claims, but of course I have no information one way or the other, and I'm not clear why this issue has been raised again. If it is not true, it must be very, very difficult for Josh and his family. I really hope that he truly is innocent of any wrongdoing.

[mpheels]

For the record: I don't really believe this report. BUT I think it's worth noting that it is far from uncommon for families to just pretend like these things never happened.

We all want to believe that anyone we know with half a brain would hold someone who has done something very wrong accountable, but it often does not work out that way. I think pretty much every time you hear someone talk about how they were abused as a minor, their story almost ALWAYS includes other adults who knew or suspected something was going on and did not protect them. People put their heads in the sand.

Anyway, the biggest red flag to me is that Jim Bob was supposedly the one who called. I have trouble believing Jim Bob would call the cops on a 15 year old Josh, unless by chance the victim was someone who would have gone public. I think JB would try to deal with something scandalous by keeping it within the family if at all possible, personally; not that I'm saying that is the RIGHT thing to do.

If JB cared enough to call the cops, would he really just drop the issue and keep Josh around as the favored son because of a technicality? I doubt he would broadcast the issue once the legal system dropped it, but I can't see him keeping such close ties with Josh.

[Saoirse]

There is nothing worse than being accused of sexual abuse and being innocent.

Except, you know, being sexually abused.

[zz22zz]

For the record: I don't really believe this report. BUT I think it's worth noting that it is far from uncommon for families to just pretend like these things never happened.

We all want to believe that anyone we know with half a brain would hold someone who has done something very wrong accountable, but it often does not work out that way. I think pretty much every time you hear someone talk about how they were abused as a minor, their story almost ALWAYS includes other adults who knew or suspected something was going on and did not protect them. People put their heads in the sand.

Anyway, the biggest red flag to me is that Jim Bob was supposedly the one who called. I have trouble believing Jim Bob would call the cops on a 15 year old Josh, unless by chance the victim was someone who would have gone public. I think JB would try to deal with something scandalous by keeping it within the family if at all possible, personally; not that I'm saying that is the RIGHT thing to do.

Exactly! You stated it clearly but I was thinking the same thing... I have known a lot of people effected by sexual abuse and a parent of the perpetrator calling the police immediately is something I haven't heard of (even rarely that said parent went to the police to give a statement of what they knew after the fact) (and yes I agree it isn't right that families sweep such horrible events under the rug in many cases)

It is also VERY convenient that the investigator was fired for something also involving minors AND oops the statue of limitations had ran out... really? this all would had happened around 10 years ago...

[Coco]

This kind of thing will get brought into the light of day if he tries to run for office. They'd better deal with it, true or not.

[mpheels]

I just looked up sexual assault in the 4th degree for Arkansas:

"(A) A person commits sexual assault in the fourth degree if, being twenty (20) years of age or older, the person engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual activity, or sexual contact with another person, not the person's spouse, who is less than sixteen (16) years of age; or

(B) The person engages in sexual contact with another person, not the person’s spouse, who is less than sixteen (16) years of age. "

acasa.us/pdfs/Sexual-assault-laws.pdf

(A) above is a felony, while (B) is a misdemeanor.

So 16 or 17 year old Josh couldn't even be charged with that because he wasn't old enough.

Also, the best I can tell, the statute of limitations would be either 3 or 6 years.

[Alexa]

These rumors about Josh have been going around for a while now, I've seen it mentioned on several different sites in the past. It seems like the type of rumor that is going to keep spreading quietly with no real answer ever. I don't see a fundie girl having the support/backup to come out and say it was her who Josh molested and I will be surprised if Josh and the Duggars ever address the issue head on.

It is beyond horrible if the rumor is true and beyond horrible if it is a made up story. There is no way I ever see Jim Bob turning his own son in though.

[eh02]

I just looked up sexual assault in the 4th degree for Arkansas:

"(A) A person commits sexual assault in the fourth degree if, being twenty (20) years of age or older, the person engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual activity, or sexual contact with another person, not the person's spouse, who is less than sixteen (16) years of age; or

(B) The person engages in sexual contact with another person, not the person’s spouse, who is less than sixteen (16) years of age. "

acasa.us/pdfs/Sexual-assault-laws.pdf

(A) above is a felony, while (B) is a misdemeanor.

So 16 or 17 year old Josh couldn't even be charged with that because he wasn't old enough.

Also, the best I can tell, the statute of limitations would be either 3 or 6 years.

If Josh was over 16, the second criteria could fit. It would not be statutory rape, but it'd still be sex with someone who was under the age of consent (16).

Again, though. I think the chances of this being true are very slim.

[TXGirlInAMaterialWorld]

The girl may now be married and have children now and never come forward. Truly awful for the Duggars if this is not true.

I feel bad for Anna either way.

[Luvchild]

JimBob is so weird - could it be so simple as Josh being a teen and having to sneak to see another girl and then Jim Bob catches him and over reacts - because seriously JB and Michelle are just weird about things that are normal - kissing and hugging

[mpheels]

If Josh was over 16, the second criteria could fit. It would not be statutory rape, but it'd still be sex with someone who was under the age of consent (16).

Again, though. I think the chances of this being true are very slim.

I am not a lawyer, but I read the (B) criteria as an extension of (A). Since it the refers to "the person" rather than "a person" and didn't otherwise specify age, the age limit from (A) is still applicable. I read (B) as a way to allow lesser charges for less egregious contact.

Here's a different sources that outlines the law more clearly: womenslaw.org/statutes_detail.php?statute_id=5886#statute-top

[eh02]

I am not a lawyer, but I read the (B) criteria as an extension of (A). Since it the refers to "the person" rather than "a person" and didn't otherwise specify age, the age limit from (A) is still applicable. I read (B) as a way to allow lesser charges for less egregious contact.

I think what it means is if any person who is old enough to give consent has sex with someone who is not, then it is at least a misdemeanor. If the person is over 20, then it's a felony.

ETA: Whatever it is...it's probably safe to assume this story will keep popping up. Unless any actual new info comes forward it's probably not even worth wondering about!