The eldest Duggar son admits to sexually abusing young girls as a teen.

The eldest of TV’s largest family was investigated for sexually abusing some minors.

Trigger warning: This post contains details of child sexual assault.

It has been revealed that Josh Duggar, the eldest child of the Duggar family from US reality TV hit 19 Kids and Counting, was once investigated for molesting minors.

A 2006 police report obtained by In Touch showed that Josh allegedly assaulted five underage female victims, who reported he fondled their breasts and genitals.

The first instance was reportedly known to father Jim Bob in 2002, when Josh was 14-years-old. A minor had said Josh touched her breasts and vagina while she slept. According to In Touch, the victim was sharing a room with Josh at the time.

It is stated in the police report that the victims lived “with their parents, Michelle and Jim Bob.”

Further offences came to light in 2003, upon which Jim Bob — referred to in the police report as James — alerted their family’s church. Nobody reported the incidents to police but rather sent Josh to a religious program that “consisted of hard physical work and counselling.”

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However, Michelle Duggar — Josh’ mother — later said it wasn’t really a counselling program, but rather just a “guy they know in Little Rock” who was “kind of” a mentor.

RELATED: There’s going to be another Duggar baby.

After this, Jim Bob finally reported the incident to a State Trooper known to the family, who is now in prison serving a 56-year jail sentence on child pornography charges, In Touch reports.

State Trooper Jim Hutchens allegedly gave Josh a stern talking, but failed to pursue charges.

Police were later told Josh, who confessed to the crimes, also “apologised” to his alleged victims and asked for forgiveness.

The issue was eventually reported to police after the Duggar family were due to appear on Oprah in 2006.

An anonymous 61-year-old female reportedly emailed Harpo, Oprah’s production company, alerting them of the charges. The letter was faxed to the Department of Human Services, and a police investigation was opened.

However, police were eventually forced to drop the investigation due to the then three-year statute of limitations.

Josh is now 27-years-old, and married with three children of his own.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Josh responded to this public revelation.

“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,” he told PEOPLE in a statement.

“I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. 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.”

PEOPLE reports Josh resigned from his position at the Family Research Council as a result of the accusations becoming public.

His parents also stated: “When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes, and we were shocked. We had tried to teach him right from wrong. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before.”

Josh’ wife, Anna, said she was aware of the incidents before they married and she will continue to support her husband.

Josh said he would “do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions.”

“I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God’s grace, mercy and redemption,” he said in the statement.

19 Kids and Counting is on the TLC network. The reality TV series starring the ever-growing Duggar family first aired as 17 Kids and Counting in 2008, and has 10 seasons.

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