On Wednesday night, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar will speak with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly, their first interview since it was revealed that their oldest son, Josh, repeatedly molested his sisters as a teenager. Kelly has promised that her interview will be “tough but fair,” adding “this isn’t going to be a cross-examination of a family.” Kelly even suggested that the interview was an opportunity for the Duggars to save “their show and reputation.” TLC has removed the Duggars’ reality show from its programming lineup but not officially canceled it. According to Kelly, the Duggars believe their show is “not totally done.”
Things may have changed, however, with a new report that raises serious questions about the conduct of Jim Bob and Michelle. According to a new police report obtained by In Touch, Josh repeatedly confessed to his father that he was molesting his sisters but “the Duggars waited at least 16 months before contacting authorities about the molestations, even though the behavior was continuing and growing worse.” There were at least seven acts of molestation, which included a 15-year-old Josh molesting his 5-year-old sister.
Legal experts told In Touch that Jim Bob and Michelle’s conduct could be considered a crime under Arkansas law, had the statute of limitations not expired.
Here are three “tough but fair” questions Kelly should ask:
1. You homeschool your children with the curriculum of the Advanced Training Institute. Did you teach your daughters ATI’s lesson on sexual assault?
The Advanced Training Institute is a religion-based homeschooling curriculum founded by Bill Gothard, who recently resigned due to accusations of sexual abuse. The Duggars homeschool their children with the ATI curriculum.
The website Recovering Grace, where former followers of Gothard expose his methods, recently published ATI’s lessons to girls who are victims of sexual abuse. One ATI handout reads: “Why did God Let It Happen? Result of defrauding by: Immodest dress, Indecent exposure, Being out from protection of our parents, Being with evil friends?”
The handout also tells girls that “God compensated physical abuse with spiritual power,” asking, “No physical abuse or mighty in Spirit — what would you choose?”
2. When you finally reported Josh’s conduct to a police officer, did you tell him the full story?
Jim Bob Duggar finally reported Josh’s conduct to State Trooper Joseph Hutchens. Hutchens, who is currently serving a 56-year prison sentence for child pornography, claims that Jim Bob lied to him. According to Hutchens, Jim Bob said that there was only a single instance of Josh molesting one of his sisters.
Hutchens never filed a formal report. By the time police got wind of the incidents again, the statute of limitations had expired.
3. Did Josh ever receive real counseling or did he just do some home renovation projects?
Jim Bob reportedly told church elders — and presumably the police — that Josh was sent in 2003 to a Christian program with “hard physical work and counseling.” Michelle later told the police that “Josh did not receive counseling and instead had been sent during that time to a family friend who was in the home remodeling business.”