TLC Nixes '19 Kids and Counting' From Schedule After Duggar Admits to Molestation Claims

Network officials from TLC have pulled "19 Kids and Counting" from its schedule after the reality show's star Josh Duggar admitted that he molested several underage girls, including his sisters, 12 years ago, the Hollywood Reporter reports.

TLC stirred up controversy Thursday after it aired a marathon of the reality series just hours after Duggar's confession.

Though TLC refused to comment on the incident, an episode of the show was scheduled to air on May 7, but it has since been removed from the network's lineup.

Sources told TMZ the fate of the show is uncertain but said the network's officials have not made any long-term decisions. TMZ notes it's "clearly a bad sign for the show."

A rep for General Mills also told TMZ they have blacklisted "19 Kids and Counting" and removed the show from the company's current advertising schedule.

Soon after reports appeared online that Duggar molested underage girls issued a statement and resigned from the anti-gay group.

"Twelve years ago, as a young teenager I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. 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," he said. "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.

"I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life," he continued. "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."

According to a 2006 police report published by In Touch, Duggar's parents reported the incidents to the police but charges were never filed.

TLC canceled "Here Come's Honey Boo" not long after allegations surfaced that the series' matriarch June "Mama June" Shannon was in a romantic relationship with a convicted child molester.

"Like Here Comes 'Honey Boo Boo,' '19 Kids and Counting' is one of the cable channel's biggest brands," the Hollywood Reporter writes. "The show has been on the air since 2008 and is in its 15th season. The profile of the Duggar family had been on the rise in recent years thanks to national magazine covers focused on the marriages and pregnancies of the Duggar children."