In the exclusive sit-down interview with Tamron Hall, TLC series 19 Kids and Counting breakout star Jinger Duggar hit it real with where she stood regarding her older brother’s (Josh Duggar) child pornography conviction.
According to the 29-year-old reality TV show star, she hasn’t spoken to her brother in years. Last May 2022, Josh Duggar was sentenced to serve more than 12 years in prison for child pornography charges at the Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) Seagoville in Texas.
Josh also once faced child molestation allegations, abusing his sisters and a family friend as a teenager. All of these seem rooted in the infamous family’s adherence to the “strict religious lifestyle and iron-fist Christian values” under the guidance of the religious sect, the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP).
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The controversial organization was founded by the now disgraced minister Bill Gothard. The minister was accused of harassment and molestation in 2014 by more than 30 women and faced a sexual abuse lawsuit (eventually dismissed as statute of limitations expired) in 2016.
The only connection that she and her brother shared was through prayer. Jinger said that she prays for her brother’s victims and their families. On top of that, she also prays that “he would be truly broken over what he has done.”
Jinger also didn’t mince words when she spoke about change and redemption in Josh’s case. She says that no one could put up all those outward standards and rules and say those things won’t do anything. “Your heart has to be changed from the inside out, and only Jesus can truly change that,” she emphasized. That change was something that had yet to come for her brother.
“He’s not truly changed. So until God does that, it’s only what God can do.”
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When Jinger was asked if she still views Josh as her brother, she replied that it’s a really difficult road to walk on. In an interview with GMA reporter Juju Chang, the reality star broke down in tears when Chang asked her the same question. She then took the time to express how her heart aches for all the victims, their families, and “all the trail of pain that’s been left behind.”
Josh Duggar will be under the supervision of a parole office for 20 years after he serves his full sentence. He will also be prohibited from any unsupervised contact with minors. Of course, that would include his own children. Josh and Anna Duggar have a total of six children.
After renouncing her upbringing and moving forward with her life, the reality star turned to writing. Last January 31, 2023, her book “Becoming Free Indeed” hit the shelves.
The book was Jinger’s first solo project. In it, she chronicled her spiritual journey as she disentangled the truths from the lies and how her relationship with religion changed as an adult.
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In a YouTube video she uploaded prior to the book’s release, Jinger said that she wrote it for anyone who wants to honestly examine their faith and beliefs without abandoning God.
If you want to know more about Jinger Duggar’s story of her fear, struggles, and her impressive transformation into a woman who slowly understands her own faith, make sure to pick up a copy of her book. You could also watch her exclusive interview in the video below.
