Josh Duggar Texts Mom Blaming Her for Family Image Over His Life Damage

Years after the 2015 scandal that shook the Duggar family, Josh Duggar lashed out at his mother in private text messages.

Josh, who molested four of his sisters as a teenager between 2002 and 2003, accused Michelle Duggar of caring more about public relations and the family image than the harm to his life. The former reality TV star received a 12-year federal prison sentence for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material.

"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 wrote in a text to his mother, obtained by People.

In the messages, Josh repeated his claim that another employee at the used car dealership where he worked downloaded the images and videos found on his computer.

"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," he added in a text after his 2022 sentencing.

Josh maintained his innocence and said his parents' beliefs should not control how they treat him. "I just think you don't get it," he wrote. "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."

Three months before sentencing, Josh accused his parents of trying to save shows and public images amid family scandals, including the 2015 molestation allegations. After Jim Bob Duggar learned of the incidents, the family handled the matter privately instead of reporting it to police.

As word spread in the community, the Springdale Police Department opened a quiet investigation in 2006. The next year, the family started filming "17 Kids and Counting." The reality series aired for 10 seasons until the allegations went public in 2015.

"Its hard to be here while everyone is out going and doing. its especially hard in light of how things have been since may 2015 when everything was devastated for Anna and I," Josh wrote to his mother in 2022. He added that public statements and PR work to save shows and images came before family relationships, and still do.

Michelle did not respond to most of Josh's texts but forwarded messages of support from others to her son.

The texts emerged as Josh's brother Joseph Duggar sits in jail. Authorities arrested Joseph on March 18 in Arkansas after interviewing a 14-year-old girl who said he touched her inappropriately several times on a family vacation when she was 9.