Arkansas state Sen. Bart Hester wants Springdale Police Chief Kathy O’Kelley fired over the recent release of a 2006 police report that contained allegations that Josh Duggar as a teen molested five underage girls, including his sisters.
Mr. Hester, a Republican, said Ms. O’Kelley acted recklessly in releasing the report and accused her of re-victimizing the girls by making the allegations public, a local CBS affiliate reported.
“The law to protect minors’ identities is not a suggestion,” Mr. Hester said Saturday. “So sad to see the person charged with protecting the community being so reckless and irresponsible. I believe it is unavoidable that the Springdale police chief should be terminated. She has re-victimized these young ladies.”
The Springdale police report was obtained by In Touch Weekly magazine and posted online this week with the names redacted, CBS reported. On Thursday, Washington County Juvenile Judge Stacey Zimmerman issued a court order that the police report be destroyed and expunged from the public record, CBS reported.
Mr. Duggar, who has appeared with his family on TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” resigned from his position as executive director of FRC Action, the Family Research Council’s lobbying arm, after the magazine’s story was released. He also issued a statement on the family’s Facebook page admitting to unspecified bad behavior as a teen.
Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse said Ms. O’Kelley determined that the police report had to be released in order to comply with the state’s freedom of information laws, CBS reported.
SEE ALSO: TLC pulls ‘19 Kids and Counting’ amid Duggar molestation scandal
But Mr. Hester said the city now faces potential legal issues over the matter.
“The city of Springdale’s liability seems endless on this,” he told CBS. “I certainly anticipate criminal charges against Chief O’Kelley.”
Ms. O’Kelley had previously announced her plans to retire as police chief on June 30.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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