Christian influencer Amy Paul has accused the Duggars of retaliating against Kendra Duggar’s family, the Caldwells, in the wake of her husband Joseph Duggar’s child molestation arrest.
Paul made a litany of allegations against Joseph and his family via Instagram on Monday, April 13, including suggesting that the Caldwells were being forced out of their home and that Joseph was trying to turn his wife against her parents. The influencer also alleged that the Caldwells actually reported Joseph to police over child molestation allegations in March.
“I was also appalled at the lack of Christian charity that is being shown to this precious family [the Caldwells] that is in crisis,” Paul wrote. “Not only were they put in the awful situation of turning their son-in-law into the police because he wasn’t man enough to take accountability himself, but he’s also kicking them out of their house and giving them 30days to get out!”
(The Caldwells released a statement on Wednesday, April 15, saying, “Our family is both troubled and heartbroken over the alleged actions committed by our son-in-law. We are devastated for the young girl, a child who was courageous in every way to share her truth. We stand by her, both in support and prayer, and forever will.”)
Paul went on, “The power and the water was turned off with 8 other kids living in the house! While I was there DHS was called on them for abuse…wonder who called? I will tell you that not one Duggar is reaching out to the Caldwells. Not one Duggar is helping them move or asking how they can help! The Caldwells share 4grandkids with Jim Bob and Michelle. This is not the time to be throwing stones but it’s the time to rally around and support the victim and their family and Joe Duggar is 100% not the victim.”
A source close to the family refuted Paul’s framing of the situation, telling Us Weekly that the Duggars have been “very good to the Caldwells” over the years.
“[The Caldwells] lived in a Duggar home rent free for years — years more than was offered, genuinely taking advantage of their kindness,” the insider said. “After this they moved into their current home Joe and Kendra built to flip. Yet they stayed rent free for two plus years all while Joe and Kendra urged them to move out. It was after being told to move out that all this happened.”
The source acknowledged that “what Joe is accused of is horrid and should be properly adjudicated,” though it doesn’t make the Caldwells “victims.”
“[The Caldwells] drew close to the limelight, took advantage of the kindness, and got angry when pressed to do the right thing,” the insider added. “Their daughter isn’t mistreating them suddenly. She’s watched this play out for years.”
Paul insisted that her only feelings towards the Duggars following Joseph’s arrest were “disgust and disbelief.”
“Do the right thing and HELP your extended family from the abuse and trauma your son has caused. Your piddly statement wasn’t enough. Where are the actions?!” she asked. “Even if you don’t ‘like’ someone, the truth is you raised a son and he [allegedly] touched a prepubescent child and you are choosing to poison the daughter against her family.”
She suggested the Duggars should “encourage Kendra to divorce Joe, focus on her kids and give her half the money, real estate etc.”
“Don’t make her dependent on you, Jim Bob…like she’s not a grown woman,” Paul declared. “Don’t make her another Anna [who is married to Joseph’s brother Josh Duggar].”
(Joseph’s older brother Josh is currently serving a 151-month prison sentence following his December 2021 conviction for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material. In 2015, Josh publicly apologized over separate allegations that he sexually abused five girls — some of whom were his sisters — years earlier. His wife, Anna, has seemingly stood by both Josh and her brother-in-law Joseph.)
Us Weekly has reached out to the Duggars for comment.
Joseph was arrested in March and subsequently extradited from Arkansas to Florida on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older. He stands accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl while on vacation in Panama City Beach in 2020. (Joseph has pleaded not guilty to all charges.)
Kendra and Joseph were also arrested in Arkansas and charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment. These criminal charges are totally separate from Joseph’s child molestation case.
On Wednesday, April 15, the Caldwell family released their first statement since Kendra and Joseph’s arrests last month.
“Our love for this child [victim] remains at the forefront of our family’s priorities and minds,” they wrote via Instagram. “We are proud of her for being strong enough to share her story while also retaining her own identity and joy.”
Earlier this month, Kendra’s family officially launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for their moving funds and other pressing costs. As of publication, the GoFundMe appeal has raised more than $31,000.
“My family is facing a difficult and urgent situation. We are in need to cover displacement expenses,” Duggar’s father, Paul Caldwell, wrote on the crowdfunding site. “We will not be using these funds for [our] legal expenses.”
“Thank you so much everyone,” he later updated donors. “The response has been overwhelming. We truly appreciate your generosity and prayers and thoughts.”
As for the Duggars, a spokesperson for Joseph’s parents, Jim Bob and Michelle, told Us on March 30 that they were ”heartbroken” over their son’s arrest.
“Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time,” a family rep said. “They are praying for the victim. They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
Read the full article here
