Christian promoter Amy Paul accused the Duggars of taking revenge on Kendra Duggar’s family, the Caldwells, after her husband. Joseph DuggarArrest for child molestation.
Paul made a number of allegations about Joseph and his family via Instagram on Monday, April 13, including suggesting that the Caldwells were being forcibly evicted from their home and that Joseph was trying to turn his wife against her parents. The organizer also alleged that the Caldwells actually reported Joseph to the police about the alleged child abuse in March.
“I was also surprised by the lack of Christian help shown to this precious family [the Caldwells] that is in critical condition,” wrote Paul.” “Not only were they put in the worst situation of getting their son-in-law to the police because he wasn’t good enough to answer for himself, but he’s kicking them out of their house and giving them 30 days to get out!”
(Caldwell released a statement on Wednesday, April 15, saying, “Our family is concerned and saddened by the alleged actions of our son-in-law. We feel bad for the little girl, a child who was brave enough to tell her truth. We stand by her, in support and in prayer, and will do so forever.”)
Paul went on to say, “Power and water went out and 8 other kids living in the house! While I was there DHS was called on them for abuse…wonder who is calling? I will tell you that not one Duggar is reaching out to Caldwell. Not one Duggar is helping them move or asking how they can help! The Caldwells share 4grandkids and Jim Bob again Michelle. This is not the time to throw stones but it is the time to come together and support the victim and his family and Joe Duggar is not a victim 100%.
A source close to the family denied Paul’s handling of the situation, he said Us Weekly that the Duggars have been “very good to the Caldwells” over the years.
“[The Caldwells] they lived in the Duggar’s rent free for years — years more than they were given, using their kindness honestly,” the insider said. Yet they lived rent free for two years while Joe and Kendra begged them to move out. It was after she was told to move out that all of this happened.”
The source admitted that “what Joe is accused of is bad and should be punished properly,” though it doesn’t make the Caldwells “victims.”
“[The Caldwells] he approached the limelight, used kindness, and became angry when pressed to do what was right.” Their daughter does not suddenly abuse them. He has been watching this game for years.”
Paul insisted that his only feelings toward the Duggas after Joseph’s arrest were “disgust and disbelief.”
“Do the right thing and HELP your extended family from the abuse and trauma caused by your son. Your sad speech was not enough. Where are the actions?!” he asked. “Even if you don’t ‘love’ someone, the truth is that he raised a son as well [allegedly] he touched the child before he came out and he chooses to poison his daughter in his family.”
He suggested that the Duggars should “encourage Kendra to divorce Joe, focus on her kids and give her half the money, housing etc.”
“Don’t make her lean on you, Jim Bob…like she’s not a grown woman,” Paul said. “Don’t do it to someone else Anna [who is married to Joseph’s brother Josh Duggar].”
(Joseph’s older brother Josh is currently serving a 151-month sentence following his December 2021 conviction for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material. In 2015, Josh publicly apologized for separate allegations of sexually abusing five girls – some of whom were his sisters – over the years. His wife, Anna, appears to be standing up for both Joshw and his brother.-)
Us Weekly has reached out to the Duggars for comment.
Joseph was arrested in March and extradited from Arkansas to Florida on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior including molestation of a victim under the age of 12 and lewd and lascivious behavior by a person 18 or older. He is accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl while on vacation in Panama City Beach in 2020. (Joseph denied all charges.)
Kendra and Joseph were also arrested in Arkansas and charged with endangering the welfare of a minor or false arrest. These criminal charges are completely different from Joseph’s child molestation case.
Paul Caldwell in “Counting On.”
Courtesy of YouTube / TLCOn Wednesday, April 15, the Caldwell family released their first statement since Kendra and Joseph were arrested last month.
“Our love for this child [victim] we are always at the forefront of our family’s priorities and thoughts,” they wrote on Instagram.
Earlier this month, Kendra’s family officially launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover their moving expenses and other pressing expenses. As of publication, the GoFundMe appeal has raised more than $31,000.
“My family is going through a difficult and urgent situation. We need to cover the cost of moving,” wrote Duggar’s father, Paul Caldwell, on the fundraising site. “We will not use these funds [our] legal costs.”
Many members of the Duggar family have reacted to Joseph Duggar’s arrest on child molestation charges. Joseph, who became famous with his family on the series 19 Kids and Counting, is in custody after being accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl while they were on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida. […]
“Thank you very much everyone,” he later reviewed the donors. “The response has been great. We really appreciate your generosity and prayers and thoughts.”
As for the Duggars, a spokesperson for Joseph’s parents, Jim Bob and Michelle, told them Us on March 30 that they were “hurt” by the arrest of their son.
“For now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children through this difficult time,” said the family’s attorney. They pray for the victim.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is being abused by children, call or text the Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
