The Bates family from the reality series "Bringing Up Bates" has issued a statement regarding the Josh Duggar scandal, saying they are praying for their "dear friends," the Duggar family.
"We are praying for our dear friends," reads the statement provided by Gil and Kelly Jo Bates to Access Hollywood. "We respect their privacy and have no further comment at this time."
The Bates and the Duggars have developed a good and solid friendship throughout the years, so much so that the Bates family previously appeared in the Duggars' show "19 Kids and Counting." The Bates also had their own TLC show called the "United Bates of America" before they switched networks.
The Duggar family is currently facing difficult times following the revelation of the child molestation charges filed against eldest son Josh when he was still a boy. Some people said this incident should have been disclosed by the family much earlier, given the fact that they are strongly promoting conservative Christian values.
Josh resigned from his position at the Family Research Council because of the incident even as the TLC Network temporarily stopped the airing of "19 Kids and Counting."
Worse, several companies pulled out their advertisements from "19 Kids and Counting." They included Walgreens, Choice Hotels, Payless, Pure Leaf Iced Tea, Crayola, Pizza Hut and Ace Hardware.
Josh's parents Jim Bob and Michelle are all set to discuss the issue in an exclusive interview with Megyn Kelly in "The Kelly File." The first part of the interview about the "Duggars' deep dark secret" will air on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET while the second segment, which will feature footage from an interview at the Duggars' house, will air Friday at 9 p.m. ET.
"This isn't going to be a cross-examination of family. It's going to be an interview of family. I want to hear their story and I think America wants to hear their story," said Kelly.
