Jim Bob DuggarHe is running for Senate in Arkansas, but there is a huge shadow over his potential senate seat. His son has been charged with some of the most heinous crimes. Josh DuggarCurrently, he is being accused of child pornography. Jim Bob has been quiet on the subject, with some quotes showing he was clearly aware and other quotes seeming to imply he had no idea of his son’s supposed activities.
Disclaimer: This article contains a very sensitive subject for many.
Sins of the Son
Josh Duggar’s trial officially starts on Wednesday in Arkansas, with the accusations in place being very far-reaching. Josh Duggar, 33, is charged with downloading and possessing child pornography. The most striking aspect of this case is that Josh, who is the oldest child from Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar is featured on the TLC program 19 Kids and Counting. The show was pulled from television when stories of Josh’s accusations of molestation of his sisters came to light in 2015. He was not charged.
While testifying on Monday, Jim Bob said his son had come to him around 2002 to tell him some of his misdeeds, saying under oath, “He had told me that he had touched some of the girls, like, when they were sleeping, like, on the breast, like, over their clothes. They didn’t wake up.”
It seems pretty damning, but when pushed on the subject further during the trial, Jim Bob added that he couldn’t remember the “specifics” of the conversation. He was also quick to retract his statement by adding: “I mean, he didn’t use that – I don’t remember exactly the wording that he used. I can’t remember exactly how he said it.”
Retrograde Amnesia
Jim Bob also wanted to take the moment to praise his son, expressing that he and his wife were grateful he had come forth and spoken to them, rather than them “catching him in the act.” Jim Bob said, “Yes. We really felt like that they – that Josh – we were thankful that he came and told us what had happened, which was a big step, because we didn’t catch him doing something, but he came and told us. But he had crossed some lines and he was right at that age of curiosity of, you know, right at 14 years old where your hormones start kicking in”.
The whole thing unfolds in a surreal way, with the parents praising their child as if he were doing something that would make them utterly ashamed. It is a very strange thing to be on the fence about, and it has many people questioning Jim Bob’s desire to join the senate, as well as likely having a big impact on how that will play out for him. As a result of all this, it appears, Jim Bob will not be testifying on behalf of his son during the trial, while some of Josh’s siblings are planning to be called by the defense.
Josh, on the other hand, faces twenty years in prison and a $250,000 per count if he’s found guilty. Even a strong family support and a famous last name cannot change this. It remains to be seen how this will pan out.