Anna Duggar’s Homeschooling Possibly in Jeopardy When Josh Returns From Prison
It's been a difficult year for Anna Duggar. In the face of husband Josh Duggar's arrest and subsequent guilty verdict
Tristan Green
It's been a difficult year for Anna Duggar. In the face of husband Josh Duggar's arrest and subsequent guilty verdict of child pornography, Anna has had to face a future far different than the one she's planned for.
And now, that future may look even more different than she imagined. It's possible that Josh's return to the home after his time in prison will prevent her from homeschooling – due to a law that prevents people with criminal charges against children from homeschooling.
Living in Arkansas Puts the Duggars in a Pickle
The trial for Josh's child pornography charges was held last Fall. He faces sentencing at the end of May.
For now, Duggar remains in prison and will likely face at least a few more years – with the potential of up to 20 years behind bars.
While Josh is imprisoned, Anna is going about their lives on her own. Like Josh's parents, the couple does not believe in birth control and has a robust family of 6 children (and counting).
Also like several of the Duggar family members, Josh and Anna have chosen to homeschool. It fits their personal beliefs and their dedication to their Christian lifestyle.
But that may come to an end whenever Josh returns home.
CheatSheet reports, "…Arkansas is one of two states where the law prohibits homeschooling in households that include registered sex offenders. Josh’s crimes make him a convicted sex offender, though he currently doesn’t live in the household with the kids. He’s in jail awaiting sentencing.
'Will Anna be able to continue homeschooling once Josh is released from prison?' a Reddit user asked. 'Only two states in the USA prohibit people with criminal convictions against children from homeschooling, and one of them is Arkansas!'
'OK, let’s say he gets out 10 years from now because that’s very plausible,' one Reddit user posited. 'His youngest will be 10. Their others, I think, 12, 14, 16, 18, etc. They could easily ‘send’ them to the big house or [Jessa’s] home and argue that the kids are not being schooled at home.'"
Of course, it's possible Josh and Anna wouldn't want to risk lying about homeschooling once Josh is finally out of the system. It remains to be seen, but the concern is there – and Anna may have to change their plans.
Josh’s Sentencing
It would seem that despite the preponderance of evidence and the fact that Josh was found guilty, Anna does not believe her husband has done what he is accused of.
In February, Anna shared on social media simply the caption, "There is more to the story" and directed people to a link containing court documents. Those close to the couple say she plans to stick with him, and loves him despite what he's been found to have done – and what he has not been found guilty of, but has been accused of. Which includes molesting several of his siblings when they were children.
But whether or not Anna feels the arrest and conviction was legitimate, he's facing hard time.
Josh will face a sentencing hearing on May 25, 2022.
Per CheatSheet, "So, why the delay in sentencing? KNWA reports the defense hopes for 'additional time to pursue additional information and documentation.'
Additionally, The Hill notes Josh’s legal team said coronavirus (COVID-19) played a role in this decision to delay sentencing. The defense said it was 'more difficult scheduling meetings with Duggar than during ordinary times' due to the pandemic. They then noted scheduling issues 'would be more easily resolved' with the extension granted.
'Additionally, because of certain reasonable COVID-19 precautions understandably instituted at the jail at which Duggar is being detained, it has been more difficult scheduling meetings with Duggar than during more ordinary times,' court documents from Josh’s legal team state, according to People. 'Finally, while defense counsel can and would be available for the current sentencing date, certain scheduling issues arising out of unrelated cases would be more easily resolved if this Court were to grant the requested continuance.'”
Currently, Josh sits in prison and waits to find out the course of his future. 2 years or 20, when he gets out everything is going to look different – and his kid's schooling may hang in the balance.