Josh Duggar sex scandal: 19 Kids and Counting star is 'sorry' for inappropriately touching minors as a teenager

American reality TV show 19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar has opened up about reports accusing him of inappropriately touching minors when he was a teenager.

In Touch magazine first reported that the eldest Duggar son was investigated in 2006 for his alleged misconduct when he was 14 years old.

After the serious child-molestation allegations, the 27-year-old resigned from Christian lobbying group, the Family Research Council.

"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," Josh said in a statement which was published on the Duggar family's official Facebook page.

"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," he added.

The father of three, asked his fans to forgive him for his wrongdoings. "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."

However, during the entire controversy, Josh received support from his parents Jim Bob and Michelle, and his wife Anna.

Jim Bob and Michelle wrote on Facebook: "Back 12 years ago our family went through one of the most difficult times of our lives. 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."

The parents of 19 children agreed that no family is perfect and they are no different. "That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before. Even though we would never choose to go through something so terrible, each one of our family members drew closer to God. We pray that as people watch our lives they see that we are not a perfect family," the official Duggar Facebook page read.