JOSH Duggar’s trial for pedophilia is entering its second week and his life has changed in recent years.
The former 19 Kids and Counting On star is fighting for her freedom against a litany of accusations, years after she was also accused of inappropriately touching underage girls – including some of her sisters.
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It’s a tragic story for the ultra-religious Duggar family, who are devout Baptists, and frequently include conversations about purity, modesty, and faith in God.
So where did Josh go wrong? A look back at her troubled life paints a bigger picture.
Josh was born in Tontitown, Washington County, northwest Arkansas on March 3, 1988.
He was the first of 19 children born to Jim Bob and Michelle, and was an original member of the family’s reality show, even allowing cameras to document his 2008 marriage to his wife Anna in an episode titled A Very Duggar. Wedding.
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Josh’s downfall began in May 2015 when a 2006 police report was unearthed, revealing allegations of sexual assault against the Duggar’s oldest son.
The 33-page report revealed that Jim Bob told police Josh fondled the breasts and genitals of several young victims as they slept at the Duggar family home.
The incidents are said to have all happened between 2002 and 2003, when Josh was 14 and 15 years old.
In an explosive revelation, the police report said four of the five assault victims were his own sisters.
Follow our live blog on the Josh Duggar trial for the latest news and updates …
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In May 2002, a still shocked community voted against Jim Bob, and the career politician lost a leading candidacy for the Republican Senate seat to Senator Tim Hutchinson of Arkansas.
MORE CHARGES
Jim Bob and Michelle were made aware of two other incidents where Josh touched a minor victim.
In one situation he allegedly touched his victim while she was sitting on his lap, and in another he was accused of putting his hand on his victim’s robe in a family laundry room.
Elders at the Duggar Family Church agreed that Josh was in need of treatment.
Jim Bob told cops that Josh attended a Christian counseling program from March 17 to July 17, where he “did manual labor and received counseling,” according to the 2006 police report.
Josh’s parents and church elders spoke to an Arkansas state soldier about the incidents after Josh finished treatment.
LATEST NEWS
In May 2015, the news broke.
Josh took to Facebook to apologize for the allegations, writing “Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regretted. I hurt others, including my family and close friends, ”he wrote in a statement.
Josh resigned from his position at the Family Research Council on May 21, 2015.
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After his resignation, FRC President Tony Perkins said: “Josh believes the situation will make it difficult for him to be effective in his current job. We think it’s the best decision for Josh and his family right now. We will pray. for everyone involved. “
CONFIRMATION
In June 2015, Jim Bob and Michelle appeared on television for the first time since Josh’s sexual abuse allegations were announced.
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Duggar’s parents confirmed that four of Josh’s victims were their daughters, including young Jill and Jessa.
The couple argued that Josh’s records should never have been released under the FOIA and they threatened to sue.
On July 16, 2015, the show was officially canceled.
“After careful consideration, TLC and the Duggar family have decided not to go ahead with 19 Kids and Counting.,” a declaration on the network’s website said.
“The recent attention around the Duggars has sparked a critical and important conversation about child protection,” he continued.
The network claimed it planned to run an hour-long special featuring the Duggars and some of the families affected by the abuse.
SHOCK AFFAIR
Just three months later, a new report claimed Josh was using Ashley Madison’s adultery dating service.
Josh said in a statement, “I have been the greatest hypocrite ever. While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly viewed Internet pornography for the past few years and it has become. a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife. “
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Shortly after, pornstar Danica Dillon, real name Ashley Johnston, claimed to have assaulted her during sex.
In an interview with The Sun in 2020, Ashley, 33, described the alleged incident as being so intense “it was like this guy tried to kill me.”
She accused him of choking, spitting and calling her “worthless” during violent sex after they allegedly met at a Philadelphia strip club in 2015.
She claimed he invited her to her room after paying $ 600 for lap dances from her.
Ashley, now married with four children, said Josh “knows what he’s been up to and has to live with his demons.”
Josh has always denied the alleged assault.
A NEW MEMBER
In April, just days before her arrest on two counts of child pornography, Josh and Anna announced they were pregnant with baby number seven.
On October 23, Anna gave birth to a baby girl named Madyson Lily.
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The couple shared the news with a social media post, captioning the photo, “Meet Little Madyson Lily Duggar,” with a pink heart-shaped emoji.
Anna also re-shared the image in her stories, where she revealed the baby was born at 2:39 a.m. and weighed seven pounds nine ounces.
THE CONSEQUENCES
In the years following the scandals, Josh struggled to keep a steady job and lived with Anna and her six children in a warehouse on Jim Bob and Michelle’s property in Arkansas, The Sun exclusively reported.
Then, on April 29, Josh was arrested and charged with two counts of Possession and Possession of Child Pornography. He pleaded not guilty.
If convicted, he could receive 20 years in prison with fines of up to $ 250,000 on each count.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
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