One of the sisters was FOUR YEARS OLD at the time.
This isn’t a case of repressed reproductive biology seeking an outlet.
That’s pathology.
These sorts aren’t ‘cured’, recidivism is nearly 100% in individuals with that sort of brokenness.
Which isn’t to argue that he isn’t forgiven by God for such. It IS to argue that he should NEVER EVER be allowed around anyone (of either sex) under the age of 18 again. For the safety of any children, and to keep him from temptation and subsequent sin.
That he never received any real counseling for this and continued to live in the same home with the victims is a special sort of torture for the victims.
But the real question I have is this. Was he acting out something someone had done to him? The ‘family friend’ they took him to speak to is in jail for 60 years for recidivistic kiddie porn. A former pastor of their church has supposedly gone away for kiddie sex/porn. Is/was there a ring of such people in that area/church when Josh was a youngster? Was he touched inappropriately at a church camp, vacation bible school or some other instance by someone like that?
Because normal 14yr old boys don’t get aroused with 4yr old females. And no amount of ‘forgiveness’ by his parents and victims can reprogram that sort of pathology.
I didn’t know the ages of his victims. I don’t need to repeat, but will, that I find the actions of the 14 year old boy to be repugnant, perverse and perhaps demonic. I do believe however in full redemption, I don;t believe he is doomed to be twisted and perverse for the rest of his life. People can change, with God’s help, that is the gospel.