Josh Duggar's cheating scandal came as a surprise to not just the fans of "19 Kids and Counting," but his mother Michelle too. She was reportedly so ashamed of the scandal that she mourned him as if he had been killed, a friend of the Duggars told Radar Online.
Shortly after the scandal grabbed headlines, Josh checked into a faith-based rehabilitation center to deal with his addiction to pornography. He has since been released, and is believed to be seeking a professional's help to work on his marriage.
"Josh had a good upbringing," John La Tour, a city councilman from Fayetteville, Ark., told Radar about Josh. "He got sidetracked."
Recounting how Michelle reacted to Josh's cheating scandal, La Tour noted that the Duggar matriarch was shocked that her eldest would even think of betraying the mother of his four children.
"Michelle was in mourning like her son had been killed," La Tour said, adding that Josh's wife Anna is a "stand by her man kind of woman" who has decided to stay with her husband and work on their marriage. Josh "is a sinner just like the rest of us. No one is perfect," La Tour told Radar, adding that the Duggars have never tried to portray themselves as perfect.
TLC cancelled the Duggars' family reality show, "19 Kids and Counting," last year, shortly after reports emerged in May that Josh had sexually molested his sisters as a teen.
Issuing a public apology, Josh said that he regretted his actions and called them inexcusable. "Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably, for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret," he said, according to People. "I hurt others, including my family and close friends. 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."
The Duggars' family reality show premiered in 2008 as "17 Kids & Counting" and wrapped Season 9 in May 2015.
