Source Reveals How Anna Duggar Is Really Doing After Josh Duggar's Prison Sentence
Josh Duggar went from "19 Kids and Counting" to counting down his jail sentence. In December 2021, Josh was convicted of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material, according to NPR, and was later sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison for his crimes. This has left Anna Duggar on her own with several children to raise.
For those of you who need a refresher, Anna and Josh Duggar have seven children — Mackynzie, Michael, Marcus, Meredith, Mason, Maryella, and Madyson — ranging from 12 years old to just seven months. Anna has stayed silent on all social media since February 3, just months after Josh was convicted, when she posted on Instagram, directing followers to a court document showing Josh had filed a motion for acquittal or a new trial. Per Insider, his request was denied.
While the 33-year-old has stayed silent throughout the trial and conviction, a source who spoke to Us Weekly is setting the record straight on her priorities, and they likely won't surprise you.
Anna is focusing on her seven children
Anna Duggar hasn't been giving updates to the public, but a source tells Us Weekly that she won't be celebrating her upcoming birthday alone. Despite her husband not being around to celebrate, Anna Duggar will reportedly celebrate her 34th birthday on June 24 with her seven children by her side. "They're her No. 1 priority and that will never change," said the source. "She's with them all the time."
Taking care of seven children alone amidst processing what are no doubt complicated emotions is difficult, but the source says Anna is giving it her all. "She's going to stand by her husband and she's going to continue raising their kids to the best of her ability," they said.
The sentiment will likely be the same for many birthdays to come as she raises her kids on her own as her husband serves his 151-month sentence (via the New York Post).
She will have to raise her kids on her own
This isn't Josh Duggar's first conviction. In May 2015, Josh pled guilty to molesting five young girls when he was 14 and 15. "Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends," he said in a Facebook statement, according to Us Weekly. "We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life."
He was convicted again in December 2021 for downloading videos of children being "violated," according to BuzzFeed. On top of being in jail for many years, the court ruled that he "shall have no unsupervised contact with minors" after his release, which includes his own children (via Us Weekly). This means that Anna Duggar will essentially be a single mom for many years to come even if the two stay married, which is likely considering what the Duggars think of divorce.
Whether Anna Duggar has close family members to help or not, raising seven children on your own is no easy feat. The last of her seven children was born in October 2021, which means she has a long road of single parent life to go.
If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.