Josh Duggar accused his parents of working to “save shows and public images” following his 2021 child porn conviction.
In a series of irate text messages obtained by People, the disgraced former reality TV star told his mom, Michelle Duggar, that she and his father, Jim Bob Duggar, need to own up to their part in his fall from grace after he was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for the crime.
“[I] am very disappointed. I feel like you just don’t receive criticism or take admission for your own actions THAT HAVE DIRECTLY AFFECTED MY LIFE, including in this situation,” Josh, 38, wrote, per the outlet.
The former “19 Kids and Counting” star went on to tell his mom: “I AM NOT BLAMING YOU FOR THE SITUATION, BUT YOU ARE BLAMING ME – AND YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW THE TRUTH – YOU SAID THAT YOURSELF TODAY.”
Josh declared his innocence in multiple messages, claiming that a man he worked with at a used car dealership allegedly downloaded the child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to his computer.
He also said that his parents should not treat him differently, whether or not they believe him.
“I just think you don’t get it. you don’t understand how you have hurt me and you keep trying to make yourselves ‘look good’ instead of trying to be concerned about your responses to my charges or anything else in my life,” Josh wrote.
Three months prior, Josh told his mom, Michelle, 59, how difficult life was behind bars while his family was “out going and doing.”
“[T]he public statements and pr work to save shows and public images i feel were placed above family relationships … and still are to this day,” Josh messaged his mom, per People.
The former TLC star said Michelle appeared to “worry about pr more than anything else sometimes.”
Though Josh claimed he was “not trying to shift blame for anything,” he asked his mom to “consider your role and change so that other children are not in the same situations later.”
Michelle did not directly address Josh’s claims, but told her son that she loves him and shared messages of support from others.
In December 2021, Josh was found guilty of receiving and possessing child porn.
He was accused of downloading child porn files onto a computer at his now-shuttered used car dealership over the course of three days in May 2019.
In May 2022, Josh was sentenced to 151 months in prison, which is between 12 and 13 years, for the crime. He is currently serving his time at FCI Seagoville in Dallas.
Josh has been desperately fighting to be released from prison by filing a series of failed appeals.
Page Six exclusively reported that Josh’s prison release date has been extended from Dec. 23, 2032, to Feb. 2, 2033.
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