The Duggar family may have kept a big secret from the public before 2015. However, the sexual abuse in their home was no secret to their social circle. Apparently, Josh Duggar’s misbehavior was well known to members of their house church. According to recently unsealed court documents, Josh’s conduct and the actions of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar in this situation led to a split in the family circle. So how many people knew what happened? Very.
Court documents revealed how quickly Duggar’s social circle learned of Josh Duggar’s existence
Josh Duggar molested four of his sisters and a family friend in 2003 and 2004. Initially, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar informed the Holt family of Josh’s actions. Jim and Bobye Holt were close friends with Jim Bob and Michelle. Their daughter, Kaeleigh Holt, was seeing Josh at the time. After the Holts informed their daughter of the situation, she ended her dating Josh and wrote details of the abuse in a letter.
According to court records, Kaeleigh put the letter in the book. In 2006, Kaeleigh lent the book to a family friend who discovered the note and passed it on to others. Subsequently, the extended Duggar family community was informed of the incidents. According to Kaeleigh’s testimony, Michelle’s family member Rachel Hutchins was also aware of the incidents. Kaeleigh noticed that many parents in their social circle were arguing about what had happened.
Kaeleigh Holt testified that Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar’s conduct in this situation led to a social split
The Duggar family and the Holt family have been incredibly close for years. Even so, the way Jim Bob and Michelle handled Josh Duggar’s behavior led to a split in the family church. According to Kaeleigh’s testimony in Sister Duggar’s lawsuit against the city of Springdale, the families’ social circle was divided.
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The Holt family appeared in the first Duggar Family TLC special, but disappeared from the spotlight shortly after. Bobye Holt’s testimony at Josh Duggar’s child pornography trial was the first time the family publicly admitted their relationship between Josh and Kaeleig Holt.
Kaeleigh has since married someone else. Josh Duggar married Anna Duggar in 2008. They have seven children together. TLC canceled 19 children and counting in 2015 after police reports of harassment were uncovered. According to Ashley Reality Roundup, Kaeleigh approached the union on her Instagram after Bobye Holt testified.
The family insider exposed the Duggar family
Everything that happened led to a major and significant split, just like the Duggar Family landed on their TLC specials. The special led to further television appearances. Although the family members have been regulars on several talk shows, they never showed up Oprah Winfrey Show. They had to introduce themselvesin however in 2006. Over the years it has been rumored that Winfrey canceled the show after receiving an email regarding the harassment.
Turns out Winfrey canceled her appearance after getting the email. The production company responsible for the program also contacted the police about the information. Typer, according to court documents, was an insider of the Duggar family. An unknown person gave an extra tip to the Arkansas Childcare Helpline. The clues led to a police investigation and a subsequent report made available to the public in 2015.
How to get help: If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, text the home emergency number 741741 for free, confidential help.
ASSOCIATED TO: Duggar Family News: Lawsuit Reveals Letter From Josh Duggar’s Ex-Girlfriend That Revealed Sexual Abuse