The Duggars are reportedly "heartbroken" that they won't be able to promote their Christian faith on TV following the cancellation of "19 Kids and Counting" last week after a molestation scandal marred the family's squeaky clean reputation.
"The Duggars want to return to TV because they truly believe it was part of God's plan for them to spread the word about their faith," a source close to the family
told People magazine, adding that they're "heartbroken that they've now lost that platform."
The TLC network initially suspended season 10 of "19 Kids and Counting" two months ago, after it came to light that the eldest sibling, Josh Duggar, was accused of molesting five underage girls — including his sisters Jill Dillard and Jessa Seewald — when he was 14. In regard to the incident, Duggar said he "acted inexcusably" at that time.
After two months in limbo, TLC on Thursday announced that it was permanently canceling the show.
"I think [parents] Jim Bob and Michelle honestly did expect people to just move on from this," the source continued. "Their thinking is, they put this behind them ages ago, so why wouldn't the rest of the world?"
The TV program featuring the Duggars began in 2008, and averaged more than 3 million viewers.
After Josh Duggar's past came to light, TLC partnered with two organizations dedicated to child-protection: Darkness to Light and Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network.
TLC will soon air a special documentary about child-protection featuring the Duggar daughters, likely in August.
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