Shortly after Josh Duggar was convicted of receiving and possessing baby pornography again in December, his mother and father, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, launched a press release on the decision.
Although nonetheless unwilling to sentence their son’s actions or affirm his guilt, the mother and father of 19 expressed sympathy for individuals who have been victimized and provided phrases of assist for Josh’s spouse, Anna.
After that, not surprisingly, Jim Bob and Michelle all however disappeared from the general public eye.
The couple by no means gave a cause for his or her disappearance, however there have been in all probability two essential elements behind their resolution:
1. The Duggars’ fan base has diminished quickly and so they have extra critics than ever, that means that Jim Bob and Michelle are not assured of the fawning reward they used to obtain in response to no matter they posted.
2. The Duggars used to depend on the general public for his or her livelihood, and now that Counting On has been canceled, they might really feel that they not have to cater to the individuals who stored them in enterprise for therefore lengthy.
So it is not terribly stunning that Josh’s mother and father aren’t basking within the highlight fairly as a lot as they used to.
And if it weren’t for his or her children — a few of whom are nonetheless as lively as ever on social media — the couple’s silence seemingly would’ve continued for a number of months to return.
Jim Bob remains to be off the grid, however Michelle returned to the general public eye somewhat ahead of anticipated this week due to an Instagram Story posted by eldest daughter Jana.
Based on the brief video, Michelle and Jana flew to California this week, together with Justin and James Duggar, each of whom are of their early twenties.
On Reddit and elsewhere, followers have made a lot of the truth that Michelle is touring with out Jim Bob.
It is extremely unorthodox within the Duggars’ world for wives to do something with out their husbands, a lot much less go away the state.
Nevertheless it’s not exceptional.
In all probability, Michelle and Jana are headed for the West Coast to go to their favourite Los Angeles resident, Jinger Duggar.
And sure, James and Justin are in all probability tagging alongside as chaperones, as Duggar girls aren’t allowed to do something unsupervised.
So regardless of rumors on the contrary, there is no cause to imagine that Michelle is planning to relocate in SoCal, or that there is any upheaval in her marriage.
As a lot as we would prefer to think about Michelle splitting on her obnoxious husband, it is extremely unlikely that something like that may ever occur.
Nonetheless, this newest growth comes as a shock, as we anticipated the patriarch and matriarch of the Duggar clan to enter hiding for at the very least a number of months following the grim assertion they issued within the wake of Josh’s conviction.
“This complete ordeal has been very grievous,” the couple wrote on Instagram.
“Our hearts and prayers are with anybody who has ever been harmed via CSAM [Child Sexual Abuse Material],” the polarizing couple wrote on their official web site late yesterday,” Jim Bob and Michelle continued.
“Within the days forward, we are going to do all we are able to to encompass our daughter-in-law Anna and their kids with love and assist.”
The Duggars concluded, as all the time, on a non secular be aware:
“As mother and father, we are going to by no means cease praying for Joshua, and loving him, as we do all of our kids,” they wrote.
“In every of life’s circumstances, we place our belief in God. He’s our supply of energy and refuge. Thanks on your prayers.”
Maybe it is a case of “out of sight, out of thoughts,” however in any occasion, Jim Bob and Michelle seem like having little hassle shifting on with their lives within the absence of Josh.
