Josh & Anna Smuggar: A Series of Unfortunate Events

[CarolMK]

I really hate to say this, but I don't see how their marriage can survive something like this. No matter how Anna was raised, the stress level has to be catastrophic for Anna. I know that in their world, divorce is practically non-existent, but I can't see that she's able to trust him anymore. How can you be married to somebody that you don't trust, especially given the nature of his background? There must be a few people that the Duggars know who are divorced who share their values.

 

Edited June 10, 2015 by CarolMK

[NikSac]

I found the last paragraph of this article to be quite surprising, as I hadn't seen the number of instances called out before:

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/josh-duggar-spotted-moving-maryland-home-article-1.2252215

 

To wit:

 

Following his initial apology in a statement released May 21, Josh also admitted to sexually molesting his sisters and a family friend at least 15 times between 2002 and 2003.

 

Wow, I mean not that I'm really surprised at all but I can't believe it went from 5 to 7 to 15 so fast.  When did he admit to 15? I don't remember seeing that before.

[JocelynCavanaugh]

 

I really hate to say this, but I don't see how their marriage can survive something like this. No matter how Anna was raised, the stress level has to be catastrophic for Anna. I know that in their world, divorce is practically non-existent, but I can't see that she's able to trust him anymore. How can you be married to somebody that you don't trust, especially given the nature of his background? There must be a few people that the Duggars know who are divorced who share their values.

 

 

Anna probably can't/doesn't trust Josh at this point, but rather than divorce (which would probably be very difficult, if not impossible, for her to initiate), she'll probably just shut down and go through the motions. I could see a lot of resentment and distance forming between them, which might also lead to Josh acting out sexually in yet more fun and exciting ways such as porn addiction or adultery. Maybe at that point, though, Anna could finally justify leaving him. 

[Darknight]

I hope they at least enroll the kids in some extracurriculars. Kids are smart. I hope they aren't stressing out over this

[auntieminem]

I found the last paragraph of this article to be quite surprising, as I hadn't seen the number of instances called out before:

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/josh-duggar-spotted-moving-maryland-home-article-1.2252215

 

To wit:

Huh?  Where are they getting this.  I have not seen it anywhere else.  Not believing this until a more reputable source verifies.   

[riverblue22]

I thought I read in Intouch last week a reference to more than 20 episodes of molestation.

[alegria]

Huh?  Where are they getting this.  I have not seen it anywhere else.  Not believing this until a more reputable source verifies.   

 

 

"It’s moving day for Josh Duggar and family" -- Washington Post -- http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2015/06/09/its-moving-day-for-josh-duggar-and-family/

Edited June 10, 2015 by alegria

[Micks Picks]

I actually feel badly that any possibility of growth they might have experienced in DC is gone.  Anna was so far into babies, to the detriment of Josh, but there was some hope I thought.  Now any growth for either of them is gone, and their children's lives will not be enriched.  It's such a pity, really.

[Hpmec]

I have a feeling the JoshandAnna baby train is about to slow way down. No way will Smuggar be able to afford to keep rampantly populating the earth on a very reduced income with little to no hope of ever making big bucks again. He wasn't happy about this last pregnancy, and, given all that's happened, I can't see him thinking it's a good idea for Anna to keep pumping them out no matter what she wants.

 

Edited June 10, 2015 by Bella
removed speculation that's forbidden here

[fireice13]

I could also see them not having as many kids because Anna will put up a good front with the family and in public, but in private Josh may be in another bedroom. If she truly doesn't trust him. However, with how she was raised she may trust him because it's what was drilled into her from birth.

[DangerousMinds]

Unfortunately, Josh and Anna will raise their children as they were raised, with sexual repression and denial. After hearing Jim Bob tell Megyn Kelly that they talked to others within their home-church when they first found out what Josh was doing, there were others within their cult that confessed to them that they have had similar incidents of sexual molestation happen with their own children. So, I suppose that was comforting in some way to Michelle and Jim Bob. "Oh it's not so bad if it happened to others. We're still great parents and can't be blamed".

Clergy are mandated child neglect/abuse reporters in many states. What about Arkansas? Seems a lot was "confessed" in church.

[starfire]

When I saw his weight loss, I really did feel bad -- NOT that he didn't NEED to lose it, but thinking it may very well be due to stress (of his/his father's own making, but still...). 

 

If the weight loss was caused by stress related to the molestation scandal, I wonder how far in advance the Duggars were aware the scandal was going to break  before it actually did. The airport pics were taken only one day after InTouch published the first article about the molestation.

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3089944/Embattled-reality-star-Josh-Duggar-arrives-DC-airport-alongside-pregnant-wife-three-children-one-day-child-molestation-allegations-surfaced.html

[Churchhoney]

Clergy are mandated child neglect/abuse reporters in many states. What about Arkansas? Seems a lot was "confessed" in church.

 

It was probably in a church with no actual clergy though, right? ... Hey! Another advantage of home churching!

If the weight loss was caused by stress related to the molestation scandal, I wonder how far in advance the Duggars were aware the scandal was going to break  before it actually did. The airport pics were taken only one day after InTouch published the first article about the molestation.

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3089944/Embattled-reality-star-Josh-Duggar-arrives-DC-airport-alongside-pregnant-wife-three-children-one-day-child-molestation-allegations-surfaced.html

 

Oh, good catch. Maybe he was motivated to lose the pounds by his inability to swing his legs over a trapeze or something.

[CofCinci]

They're a church when it comes to tax breaks but they're conveniently not a church when it comes to mandated reporting.

[NEGirl]

I hate to say this, but there is a very small part of me that is feeling sorry for Josh. According to the article, they belonged to a regular church and were making friends with all the young families.  The DC move appeared to be good for the both of them. You could see that both Josh and Anna were slowly changing a bit with the move away from JB. Now, that will all change - back to the kool aid and the car lot. Poor  Anna and those kids. I think they knew at least a few days before the story was published that the shit was going to hit the fan. That would explain why Anna was near tears in the last show and why everyone looked so sad.

Edited June 10, 2015 by NEGirl

[Iguessnot]

I've generally been inclined to give Josh the benefit of the doubt that this stuff was isolated to the years that it was reported to be, and since then he's moved past it. Lots of people do stupid things when they're a teen (though most of us at least have the benefit of not doing things quite that stupid or gross), and turn into respectable adults. Maybe I'm generous :) but I still feel like Josh has generally become a respectable adult especially considering his parents and his circumstances. And I too had such high hopes for him & Anna in DC away from his family.

 

I don't really know what Josh could possibly say other than what he said in his statement when it first broke, though, beyond a tell-all about what his parents were really like and all that, which I doubt he would do. Mostly I just hope that he & Anna are able to make some kind of decent life for themselves, and not spend it living in JB's pocketbook.

He diddled his sisters. Why would I want to hear anything else than an apology? Yuck. Jim Bob and crew were stupid to do those interviews because there was no way to make that stuff look good. A little while back I wrote a post saying how it bugged me how people would contact the producers suggesting scenarios for this reality family to recreate. In the same vein some people want Josh to grant an interview, and they have already written a script of what he should say. I hope the girls have come to grips with what happened to them. I hope Josh was truly sorry and stopped what he was doing. If he hadn't made amends with his sisters before, I hope he does now. I hope they all slink into obscurity. 

Edited June 11, 2015 by Iguessnot

[Skittl1321]

I raised two but the oldest was much more stealth. My younger son had to be wrestled into the bath or shower from the time he was around seven. .lol

Suddenly, he's Mr. Clean, showering up to five times a day :)

I basically lived through their teenage years by acting oblivious so as to not warp their sexuality..lol

 

I went to a reunion with my Girl Scout troop. I'm not a Mom, so I laughed at how casual the Moms of boys were talking about this thing. There was one with 3 teenagers, at lunch, she literally used the phrase "Oh my God, there is so much masturbating going on in my house."

 

 

I have a feeling the JoshandAnna baby train is about to slow way down. No way will Smuggar be able to afford to keep rampantly populating the earth on a very reduced income with little to no hope of ever making big bucks again.

Affordability has never stopped ATI families before. Many live in poverty.

[CofCinci]

I hate to say this, but there is a very small part of me that is feeling sorry for Josh. According to the article, they belonged to a regular church and were making friends with all the young families. The DC move appeared to be good for the both of them. You could see that both Josh and Anna were slowly changing a bit with the move away from JB. Now, that will all change - back to the kool aid and the car lot. Poor Anna and those kids. I think they knew at least a few days before the story was published that the shit was going to hit the fan. That would explain why Anna was near tears in the last show and why everyone looked so sad.

I too feel some empathy for Josh. [snip] His parents failed him in so many ways. His life is falling apart right now due to his parents poor decision-making. Don't get me wrong, Josh was old enough to assume responsibility for his behaviors but in the end Bob failed as a Shepard or whatever the hell they regard themselves as instead of trying to be good parents.

Edited June 10, 2015 by bigskygirl
Speculation about why Josh molested girls

[dorcastrilling]

I too feel some empathy for Josh. His parents failed him in so many ways. His life is falling apart right now due to his parents poor decision-making. Don't get me wrong, Josh was old enough to assume responsibility for his behaviors but in the end Bob failed as a Shepard or whatever the hell they regard themselves as instead of trying to be good parents.

 

1,000 times this. If there is any truth to him coming to those two idiots, crying and confessing, he was obviously looking for help.

[Darknight]

I hope Josh has sense to abstain a bit. He doesn't need any more kids right now

[Jellybeans]

I don't think Josh is returning to the car lot.

[JenCarroll]

Affordability has never stopped ATI families before. Many live in poverty.

But mostly those folks have not had years of living large and had to go back to poverty. I gather some members have given up solid employment to comply with Gothard's preference for self-employment, and that could not have been good for their finances, but I don't think most of those families were world travelers, or had access to luxuries like the Duggars have.

Edited June 10, 2015 by JenCarroll

[Darknight]

Look at Tori Spelling. She grew up Rich n spoiled. She still has money but not like before. It's hard to go plastic when you had a sliver spoon in your mouth. No way does JimChelle or the kids want to go back to where they were before.

[BitterApple]

1,000 times this. If there is any truth to him coming to those two idiots, crying and confessing, he was obviously looking for help.

I believe the police report stated Josh did go to his parents prior to being told on by his sisters. I agree this was a kid screaming for help and the only "help" he got was being shamed in front of his congregation and sent off to some quasi labor camp.

[Seashell Lover]

I wonder why Smuggs hired a bodyguard is he afraid of what Boob is going to do to him?

[OSM Mom]

I wonder why Smuggs hired a bodyguard is he afraid of what Boob is going to do to him?

Probably getting death threats from unstable people.

[trimthatfat]

Anna's pregnant and they have two young kids. I think they would be stupid not to have a bodyguard present at this time.

[CofCinci]

I wonder why Smuggs hired a bodyguard is he afraid of what Boob is going to do to him?

At what age in the Bible can you still "rod" your adult children?

[lulu69]

The hiring of a bodyguard makes me wonder if there have been death threats against Smugger?

 

I know in jail, sexual predators, esp child molestors are low on the food chain. I could see some crazy person who either had a loved one abused by a predator long ago (payback)  or who was abused themselves going after Josh in a misguided attempt of justice.

[Quilt Fairy]

From what I understand the bodyguard is primarily to keep photographers away. This same man has acted as bodyguard for other TLC families.

Edited June 10, 2015 by Quilt Fairy

[CofCinci]

From what I understand the bodyguard is primarily to keep photographers away. This same man has acted as bodyguard for other TLC families.

Perhaps he'll guard Anna the same way he guarded Kate Gosslin? (With his penis).

Anna: You in danger, girl.

http://youtu.be/uxBfukKmATo

[Bella]

I think it's merely paparazzi control with the body guard.

[Barbie]

I was really holding out hope that Josh and Anna would settle in Florida with her family,  they would be better off...

[bigskygirl]

Once again, please do not speculate about the reasoning behind Josh molesting his sisters. We are not psychologists, and if a poster was one, he or she has not sit down with Josh to find out why he chose to do this. I am sure there are other forums in the internet world to discuss this one topic. Any posts with the Josh armchair counseling analyzing his motives will be edited or hidden. Thank you for your cooperation and patience.

[6 MeowMeowBeenz]

is it terrible hard to believe josh may be sorry for what he did?

 

I don't think that's material. Lots of people who commit crimes are truly sincerely sorry, yet they still are punished by the judicial system. Completely appropriately, I might add. 

 

Praying the perv away seems to be their answer. Fine for them, not for society. 

[Dawn16]

At what age in the Bible can you still "rod" your adult children?

At any age, since using the "rod" means guiding your children like a shepherd guides its flock, not beating them.  Or making excuses for them, especially at the expense of your other children.

 

Josh and Anna moving reminds me that I did have hope for them in D.C., living outside the compound and meeting more mainstream conservative Christians.  And I remember noticing when the whole family visited a church that Josh was moving to the music and not standing uncomfortably still.  Anna in Arkansas with Josh, four kids, no money, and the whole world knowing what her husband did is extremely depressing. 

[truthtalk2014]

I thought it was very interesting and telling that this time they hired movers.  What's wrong Joshie?  The whole brood didn't want to come help you move?  Stop by for a little baby shower at the Bates for M4?  Hmmm...

[JoanArc]

I thought it was very interesting and telling that this time they hired movers.  What's wrong Joshie?  The whole brood didn't want to come help you move?  Stop by for a little baby shower at the Bates for M4?  Hmmm...

I doubt he even helped on the move-out, or was in the DC area at all.

 

Edit: All the siblings are building Josh's retirement compound in Arkansas, silly!

Edited June 10, 2015 by JoanArc

[Aja]

 

I thought it was very interesting and telling that this time they hired movers.  What's wrong Joshie?  The whole brood didn't want to come help you move?  Stop by for a little baby shower at the Bates for M4?  Hmmm...

What would be the point of all the siblings helping Josh if there are no cameras filming it?

[barbedwire]

I too had wished they moved to Florida mostly for the kids.  Mac, Mike and Marc need to be near the grandparents who have time for them and away from the whispering and whatever else is going on in the Arkansas hot seat.  They could have lived a quiet and simple life.  But no........................

[bluebonnet]

I think it's important to remember there are 3.5 kids involved here.  Hiring a bodyguard or quietly moving with the aid of professional movers shouldn't be shocking, surprising, or even insulted.  Whatever Josh and Anna might deserve or what sort of people they are, I can't help but be thankful that at least steps have been taken to shield the children at this time.  This is all a different sort of publicity than the kind to which the children have become accustomed.  The media and public aren't clamoring for photos and glimpses for the same reason they were a few weeks ago.  

[Micks Picks]

I too was thinking about the movers this time.  Obviously it wasn't going to be an episode and not paid for, so it's way cheaper than having the stink bus and half a dozen SUVs or trucks driving there and back.  I bet the Bates family is doing the happy dance.

[CofCinci]

Josh's brothers are busy illegally renovating his new home to act as movers.

[Seashell Lover]

I was wondering what the kids will say or do when they are older kids  google the familys name and this comes up.

[Absolom]

I keep thinking of Anna and moving in the last few weeks or just after birth in two back to back pregnancies.  She can't catch a break it seems.  

[Lemur]

Let's be honest, folks.  We all know that Josh hired the bodyguard to protect him from Michelle.  I have a feeling she's just waiting with a stout rod for the minute he walks through the door of the Tinker Toy House.

[Marigold]

Edit because I found out he is moving into Arkansas asap 

 

I wonder if Josh is really having trouble with violent threats etc.  To hire a body guard? Wonder what's up?  Maybe TLC hooked him up...that was Kate's body guard. 

Edited June 10, 2015 by Marigold

[FakeJoshDuggar]

In all of the body guards in all of the world, he chose THAT one. It certainly sounds like a TLC pick to me especially if both are under contracts with Discovery.

[Foghorn Leghorn]

I think TLC is definitely supplying/paying for a bodyguard because it is always the same one!?!  Is he the only one who comes up in google?  LOL

[anony mouse]

Edit because I found out he is moving into Arkansas asap

I wonder if Josh is really having trouble with violent threats etc. To hire a body guard? Wonder what's up? Maybe TLC hooked him up...that was Kate's body guard.

I'm not surprised - there are some crazy people out there. I'm sure the family has received threats. I'm glad TLC has someone there, as I do worry about the M kids and some loon.