Josh Duggar, the eldest child of parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, of 19 Kids and Counting, was reportedly investigated by police for molesting five girls when he was a teenager. The investigation was first reported earlier in the week by In Touch Weekly, and the tabloid has since obtained police reports, the contents of which have also been confirmed by TMZ.

The alleged events happened in 2002 and 2003, when Josh was 14 or 15 years old. The police investigation didn't start until 2006, when the family was set to appear on Oprah. Someone emailed Harpo's production team letting them know about the molestation claims, prompting an investigation.

In the police report obtained by In Touch, some of the victims are described as living "with their parents, Michelle and Jim Bob." The victims said that Josh fondled their breasts and genitals while they were sleeping. Josh allegedly admitted to the molestation and apologized to his victims.

Jim Bob reportedly didn't contact the police immediately but instead consulted with church elders. They agreed to send Josh to a treatment center, but they later admitted that he didn't receive any counseling; instead, they sent him to work with a "mentor" of sorts who was remodeling a building.

By 2006, authorities couldn't press charges because the three-year statute of limitations had already passed. Through a lawyer, Josh declined to speak with police. Josh, who is now 27, now works for the Family Research Council. He is married and has three children. There has been no comment from Josh, the Duggar family, or TLC about the allegations.

Update 5/20, 6:00 p.m.: Josh and his family have responded in a statement to People. "Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret," Josh said. He said he did undergo counseling and confessed his crime to police, and resigned from the Family Research Council after the story went public. His parents and his wife stand by him. "That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before," Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar said.

Follow Megan on Twitter.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io