Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar announced on Wednesday that they would no longer appear as special guests at a major homeschooling conference in Colorado next week, which would seem understandable given that the "19 Kids & Counting" stars are currently under intense scrutiny for their handling of sexual molestation in their family. But, despite ongoing controversy, the Duggars still planned to speak at the Rocky Mountain Super Conference on the Family -- until reports surfaced that the family is once again under investigation by Arkansas officials.
Within hours of an In Touch magazine report indicating that Jim Bob and Michelle failed to cooperate last month with Arkansas Department of Health and Safety officials -- who reportedly made a 9-1-1 call after the Duggars refused to let them evaluate a child -- the pair withdrew from the homeschooling conference, which is put on by the Christian Home Educators of Colorado. According to Homeschoolers Anonymous, the group was founded by Kevin Lundberg -- the now-Colorado legislator who recently worried that an IUD might prevent "a small child from implanting" inside a woman's uterus -- and later run by conservative radio host Kevin Swanson, who is convinced Girl Scout cookies are going to turn everyone gay (or something).
CHEC announced on Wednesday that the Duggars would still attend the conference as special guests, but indicated that the ongoing sexual abuse controversy would be off-limits:
We have confirmed that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar will be joining us on Friday evening of the conference. They humbly desire that the evening be focused on how the Gospel has penetrated their lives and given them hope in the trials that Christian families face. We anticipate an evening of reflecting upon the repentance, forgiveness, and healing that Jesus brings as we walk meekly before Him – even through the tough times. Given the recent events in their lives, Jim Bob and Michelle asked that Friday evening be the only time that they speak at the 2015 conference. They also decided that it would be best for their children not to attend.
By Wednesday evening, however, CHEC announced that Jim Bob and Michelle had reneged -- due to, in the conference's words, "recent and increased attacks and pressure on the family."
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