Josh Duggar Guilty Verdict: Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar Make Statement Following Son’s Conviction
Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar are speaking out following their son Josh Duggar’s high-profile criminal trial. Josh, 33, was found guilty on Dec. 9. of receiving and possessing child pornography. He faces up to 20 years in prison on each count. His attorneys say they plan to appeal.
Jim Bob and Michelle, who rose to fame on their now-canceled TLC reality series 19 Kids and Counting, issued a statement following their son’s conviction. They said they were praying for Josh as well as his wife Anna Duggar and their children.
Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar say they will ‘never stop praying’ for Josh Duggar
Both Anna and Jim Bob were present in court when the guilty verdict was read, according to a report from KNWA. They and several other Duggar family members left the Fayetteville, Ark., courthouse without speaking to the media. Later that day, Jim Bob and Michelle issued a statement on their website.
“This entire ordeal has been very grievous,” they said. “Today, God’s grace, through the love and prayers of so many, has sustained us. Our hearts and prayers are with anyone who has ever been harmed through CSAM [child sexual abuse material].”
Jim Bob is currently running for Arkansas State Senate as a Republican. The primary election is scheduled for Dec. 14. In a statement on his campaign website, Jim Bob said that he did not plan to let his family’s problems keep him from seeking office.
“‘Cancel culture’ and the radical left want to keep us from being involved in politics,” he said. “They say because our family has faced problems we should shrink away — this is why they are often so relentlessly unkind.”
The ‘19 Kids and Counting’ couple say they will support Josh Duggar’s wife, Anna
Josh, 33, has seven children with his wife Anna, whom he married in 2008. Anna gave birth to a daughter, Madyson, in October. They also share Mackynzie, 11, Michael, 10, Marcus, 8, Meredith, 6, Mason, 4, and Maryella, 2.
In their statement, Jim Bob and Michelle said they planned “to surround our daughter-in-law Anna and their children with love and support.”
“As parents, we will never stop praying for Joshua, and loving him, as we do all of our children,” they added. “In each of life’s circumstances, we place our trust in God. He is our source of strength and refuge. Thank you for your prayers.”
Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard also pledged to support Anna Duggar
Josh’s younger sister Jill Duggar and her husband Derick Dillard also made a statement on their website following Josh’s trial, calling it a “difficult” day for their family.
The couple went on to thank law enforcement and others involved in holding abusers accountable. “Nobody is above the law,” they said. “We have been lied to so much that we wanted to hear the evidence for ourselves in court. After seeing all the evidence as it was presented, we believe that the jury reached a just verdict today, consistent with the truth beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Jill had previously identified herself as one of several girls Josh molested when he was a teen. They have been open about their estrangement from some members of her family.
Derick and Jill also pledged to support her brother’s family, who “is also suffering the fallout of his actions.”
“Our hearts are sensitive to the pains Josh’s wife, Anna, and their seven children have already endured and will continue to process in the future,” they added. “This trial has felt more like a funeral than anything else. Josh’s family has a long road ahead. We stand with them, we are praying for them, and we will seek to support them however we can during this dark time.”
How to get help: If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 for free and confidential support.
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