Josh Duggar has resigned from his post as a lobbyist with the Washington D.C.-based Family Research Council amid growing reports that he sexually abused as many as five girls, four of them family members, while still a teen.

In a prepared statement, Josh, who stars along with all his siblings on the hit TLC show "19 and Counting," told People, "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."

The now 27-yer-old Josh goes on to admit that he confessed his actions to his parents "who took several steps to help me address the situation." Josh claims that entailed speaking with authorities and seeking counseling.

In Touch Weekly reported Josh was around 14 at the time of the 2002 incidents, with formal police documents indicating he allegedly "fondled the genital and breasts of the girls," some of whom were asleep at the time of his attacks.

In one particular incident, TMZ reported police were not ever even notified of the abuse, and instead Josh's father, Jim Bob, arranged for his son to be placed in a treatment program. The police report goes on to state Josh's mom, Michelle, didn't even consider the place he was being sent a treatment center, indicating they simply were sending him "to a guy who was remodeling a building to do manual labor."

In a joint statement also released to People, his parents reflected, "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. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before."

Reportedly the investigation into Josh was triggered back in 2006 when the family was scheduled to appear on the "Oprah" show before staffers found out about the then allegations against Josh. Harpo then forwarded the information they discovered to a hotline, which sparked the formal police probe.

In Touch adds the state trooper assigned to handle the investigation never followed up, and the trooper was later convicted on child pornography charges and is currently serving a 56-year prison sentence.

Cops back then were interested in questioning Josh, but before they were able to, his dad hired a team of high-powered lawyers and Josh declined investigator's invitation to speak with them. The statute of limitations for those alleged crimes has now expired.

Josh is now married, and he and his wife, Anna, have three children. This week, she still sought to stand by his side.

"I can imagine the shock many of you are going through reading this. I remember feeling that same shock," she told People.

Anna added her husband confessed his sins to her while they were teenagers and since then has sought to live with "openness and humility."

Meanwhile, the New York Daily News reports angry calls for TLC to cancel the show are mounting, particularly after the network aired a marathon session of episodes on Thursday.

"And TLC is airing a '19 Kids' Marathon? Sickening," one person posted to social media. "I mean the fact that TLC has been showing a marathon of "19 Kids and Counting" all night... facepalm," posted another.

In perhaps the most blistering attack of all, outspoken former TV show host Montel Williams took to Twitter brand Josh a "scumbag."