‘Counting On’: Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Are All Smiles After Baby News Following Reports the Duggar Family Is Not ‘As Close’ Since Josh’s Arrest
Counting On stars Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have been laying low since their oldest son’s arrest earlier this year. For the first time in months, the parents of 19 were spotted in public while attending a baseball game. And the event turned out to be another Duggar baby reveal.
In the photos, Jim Bob and Michelle were all smiles after hearing the baby news. But new reports claim the Duggar family is not “as close” as they used to be in the wake of Josh Duggar’s arrest.
‘Counting On’ star Jed Duggar and his wife Katey are expecting their first baby
The patriarch and matriarch of the Duggar family recently attended a Northwest Arkansas Naturals baseball game, but they weren’t alone. Joining Jim Bob and Michelle was their daughter Joy-Anna and her husband, Austin Forsyth. As well as Jed and his new bride, Katey Nakatsu. Also in attendance were a few Duggar kids and grandkids — James, 20, Josie, 11, Tyler, 13, Jennifer, 14, and Meredith Grace, 11.
According to The Sun, they were gathered at the baseball game so Jed and Katey could reveal that they were expecting their first child. The announcement was made through the stadium’s loudspeakers. The photos show Jim Bob and Michelle appearing shocked and joyful after hearing the baby news.
Jed Duggar and Katey Nakatsu shared their pregnancy news on social media
Now that TLC has canceled Counting On, many of the Duggar children are keeping fans up-to-date with their social media channels. That includes Jed and Katey, who have started their own YouTube channel and Instagram page.
The couple shared their baby news via a 10-minute YouTube video, where they told the story of stopping at Walmart to pick up a pregnancy test. After the test came up positive, the couple bought a letter board and took some pics.
The message in the photos they posted read, “And then there were 3…Baby Duggar Spring ’22.” In the caption, they wrote, “She tested positive, but not for COVID.”
The ‘Counting On’ stars were all smiles after hearing the baby news
Jed and Katey’s video also included the moment they shared their baby news with the family at the Naturals baseball game. The couple attended the game with family members from both sides, as well as dozens of people from their church.
The clip features the announcement over the loudspeaker and the reaction from friends and family. Including Jim Bob and Michelle, who were delighted to hear the news that they were going to be grandparents again.
However, even though a number of younger Duggars were at the game, most of the adult Duggar kids and their families were nowhere to be found.
New reports claim the Duggar family is not ‘as close’ as they used to be
Earlier this year, police arrested Josh Duggar, 33, after he was charged with two counts of receiving and possessing child pornography. This led to TLC canceling Counting On after six years, which was the second time the network canceled a Duggar TV series. Fans will recall that TLC cancelled 19 Kids & Counting in 2015 after Josh’s sexual molestation scandal.
According to People magazine, Josh’s latest scandal and legal drama has splintered the Duggar family. An insider says that “they aren’t as close” as they once were.
“It’s creating a lot of stress on them — although the majority of the family is acting like nothing has happened,” the source dished.
The ‘Counting On’ alums are standing by their son
The insider noted that Jim Bob “always wants to sweep things under the rug.”
This means he will never talk about Josh’s latest scandal because “it’s bad for business.”
However, Josh’s sister Jinger and her husband, Jeremy Vuolo, said they were “disturbed” by the child porn allegations and demanded justice. Out of all of Jim Bob and Michelle’s kids, Jinger lives the farthest away in Los Angeles, California.
Meanwhile, Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard left Counting On years ago when they discovered that Jim Bob was getting paid as much as $45,000 per episode for more than a decade, but the kids never saw a dime. Jill hasn’t seen her parents in two years.
Josh has pleaded not guilty and will be heading to trial in November. The court has ordered him to stay away from minors and he can’t live with his wife Anna and their six kids while he waits for his day in court. However, he is able to visit the children with Anna present.
According to the insider, Josh “really thinks he’s going to get out of it.”
