As Kendra Duggar’s parents continue raising funds to secure housing after being evicted by their daughter and son-in-law Joseph Duggar, Kendra’s dad, Paul Caldwell, is assuring donors that any money raised will “not help anyone who would harm children”– a choice of words that is almost certainly a jab at his son-in-law, Joe (and possibly Kendra as well).
As The Ashley previously told you, Joe was arrested in March on allegations of sexual misconduct for allegedly molesting a nine-year-old girl while on vacation in Florida in 2020. While the identity of the alleged victim has not been revealed, Amy Paul– a close friend of the Caldwells who assisted the family with their recent move– claimed the Duggars kicked the Caldwells to the curb due to Paul and Christina turning Joe in to police for his alleged crimes. As a result of the unexpected eviction, the Caldwells launched a GoFundMe earlier this month to raise money for “legal fees and [to] secure safe housing.”
On Wednesday, Paul provided a fundraising update, while expressing a “heartfelt” thank you to those who have supported his family through donations, encouragement and/or prayers. Paul insisted that these sacrifices “have been most helpful.”
He also acknowledged that there have been “a few unkind comments” made online in response to the GoFundMe, which he claimed were likely due to a misunderstanding of his family’s current situation. He went on to make it very clear that the money raised would not be spent to help anyone but the Caldwells, especially anyone who has been charged with crimes against children. (Cough…Joe….cough…Kendra…)
“To be clear none of the funds from this fundraiser are going to help anyone who would harm children in any way,” Paul assured donors, before going on to suggest that his family’s displacement is actually a direct result of their decision to speak up about Joe’s alleged crimes. (It was reported by police in Florida that Joe actually confessed to the crimes when approached by the victim’s father in March.)
“We are willing to stand for the protection of the weak and vulnerable in society, because of that stand we have been put in a situation that has cause[d] the [loss] of our current housing situation and employment, having to relocate on such short notice has left us in a bit of a financial struggle,” he wrote. “We also need to have some time to get some much-needed counseling.
“Thank you and thank you again for your encouragement and support during this time for our family,” Paul concluded his update.
At this time, the Caldwell Family’s GoFundMe has raised more than $34,000, with their total goal remaining at $35,000.
As you may recall, shortly after Joe’s arrest in March for his alleged crimes in Florida, both he and Kendra were hit with unrelated charges in Arkansas: four counts of second-degree false imprisonment and four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Kendra and Joe recently pleaded not guilty to the alleged crimes.
Earlier this week, Kendra’s lawyer was successful in having the no-contact order from March 20 lifted, which will allow Kendra to reestablish contact with her four children.
RELATED STORY: Kendra Duggar Pleads Not Guilty to Child Endangerment/False Imprisonment Charges; Is Now Allowed to See Her Kids
(Photos: Instagram; GoFundMe)
