Josh Duggar’s Trial: How Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Separated the Boy and Girl Bedrooms After the Molestation Scandal
Josh Duggar’s trial continues on Dec. 6, 2021. In April 2021, federal agents arrested Josh Duggar on suspicion of obtaining child sexual abuse material. And during his trial, his past molestation scandal that came to light in 2015 was brought up by the prosecution. Now, we’re taking a look at Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s response to the 2015 scandal. And it seems they attempted to separate the boys and girls in the Duggar family house by keeping their bedrooms extremely far apart.
Josh Duggar’s past molestation scandal from 2015 was brought up during his trial
While the defense didn’t want the prosecution to bring up the past Duggar family scandals in Josh Duggar’s trial, the prosecution pressed on.
In 2015, the media brought forth police records from 2006 that showed Josh Duggar admitted to sexually abusing several of his younger sisters. According to the police report, the abuse took place in 2002. Jim Bob Duggar was questioned about the past abuse on Nov. 29, 2021, prior to the trial beginning.
According to Jim Bob Duggar, he couldn’t “remember” all of the details of what occurred at the time. He also condemned the prosecution for bringing “tabloid information” into the trial.
“We were shocked this had happened but we were thankful he came on his own and told us,” Jim Bob eventually stated in court, according to People. “He had told me that he had touched some of the girls when they were sleeping on their breasts … they didn’t wake up.”
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar separated the boy and girl bedrooms in the house
Jim Bob Duggar didn’t discuss their housing situation during Josh Duggar’s trial. But according to the Daily Mail, the Duggars moved into their huge Arkansas home in 2006. Their home is 7,000 square feet, and Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar still live there with many of the younger Duggar family children today.
The home was custom built to fit their needs, too. And the publication notes the positioning of the boy and girl bedrooms is particularly telling. The couple decided to have the girls’ shared bedroom on one side of the house with the boys’ bedroom on the total opposite side of the house. They then planned for the master bedroom to reside in front of the girls’ bedroom. This means any of the Duggar boys would have to walk by the master bedroom to access the girls’ room.
Additionally, the Duggars decided to build a catwalk between the master suite and the boys’ bedroom. Anyone below the catwalk in the living room, kitchen, or dining room would see if someone was crossing the catwalk.
“We don’t let boys babysit,” Michelle said after Josh’s molestation scandal during an interview with Megyn Kelly. “They don’t play hide and seek together. Little ones don’t sit on big boys’ lap, people we don’t know, or even family members, unless it’s your daddy.”
Josh Duggar trial update: Will Jill Duggar and Jedidiah Duggar testify?
Early in Josh Duggar’s trial, Jill Duggar and Jed Duggar were added to the potential witness list. Many Duggar family followers expect the siblings will testify, though it’s unclear whether they’ll testify for the defense or prosecution. Jill was one of the sisters affected by Josh’s abuse in the early 2000s, and Jed worked with Josh at a car lot prior to Josh’s arrest.
It looks like Jill already prepped for her potential appearance in court, too. She dyed her hair blond for the first time.
“I think the hair is a self-empowering move, to give her strength in court,” a Reddit user explained. “She is reminding herself how far she has come. I really hope she gives a full testimony of everything that happened to her, including being forced to forgive by [Jim Bob Duggar].”
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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