ANNA Duggar reportedly called her friend crying over money troubles ahead of her disgraced husband Josh’s prison sentencing on child pornography charges.
The Duggar family pastor’s widow Denise Wilson described Anna‘s distress in a recent phone call, while pleading with the judge for leniency in Josh’s case.
In the letter exclusively revealed by The Celeb Report, Denise told the judge that Josh, 34, and Anna, 33, had helped support her and her nine children financially after the death of her husband.
She said that support was cut off following Anna’s emotional phone call.
In the letter to the judge which was filed on Tuesday, Denise wrote: “Recently, Anna called crying saying they’re not able to do this now because of their situation, despite how much they wanted to continue to support me.
“Josh told me he and Anna were going to support me and my family monthly to keep up my finances. When he told me how much it would be. I was shocked. It was a gracious amount.
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“Josh acted as if it was just a natural thing to do. He told me ‘We’re just doing what the Bible says… to have pure religion is to visit the Fatherless and Widows in their affliction.'”
She went on to mention a visit to the car dealership that police would later raid in the child pornography case – where they allegedly uncovered a collection of child pornography.
“My most recent time in Arkansas I needed something checked on my car before traveling back home so I stopped by the shop. Josh was incredibly busy, but he came out anyway and fix what was needed without charging me,” Denise said.
She added: “I saw Josh is a loving husband to Anna respecting her and serving her. I saw his devotion to his children by paying attention to their needs and encouraging them to live right.”
She also called the disgraced reality star “humble and accountable” with a “servant’s heart.”
SENTENCING DAY
Anna was present in court on Wednesday to support her disgraced husband during his sentencing.
Josh, 34, was found guilty in December of possessing and receiving child pornography and faces up to 20 years in prison.
Anna has supported the disgraced Counting On alum throughout his trial and arrived to an Arkansas courthouse once again on Wednesday for his sentencing.
The Celeb Report’s court reporter revealed she was the first to arrive and walked in with her friend and Josh’s legal team.
She was seen chatting to her friend inside, and appeared to be in “good spirits.”
The mother-of-seven defied Josh’s family’s conservative dress code by baring her legs in a knee-length navy dress and nude heels.
She had also dyed her hair, ditching her brunette locks for a new blond look.
Although the former TLC star had obscured her features with a face mask, she looked solemn as she filed into court.
Anna was joined by Josh’s father, Jim Bob, and his sister Joy-Anna.
While prosecutors are demanding Judge Timothy L. Brooks sentence Josh to 20 years in prison, his legal team is begging for just five years behind bars.
The Celeb Report can exclusively reveal Anna, 33, and Josh’s mom Michelle, 55, were his only immediate family members to write letters to the judge.
In Anna’s letter, she describes her husband of 13 years and father of her seven children as “considerate, respectful, quick to forgive, patient and genuinely the kindest person.”
ANNA’S PLEAS
Her letter read: “Joshua has worked hard to provide for me and our (now) seven children.
“But the happiest part of the day by far is when Daddy comes home from work, and his cheerful voice fills the house. ‘Hey, guys! How’s it going? What did you learn about in school today?’ are usually the conversation starters in between greeting each of our children.
“Joshua is an engaged dad who gladly throws a football with his sons, listens to our daughters play a new song they have learned on the piano, helps answer homework questions, or lends a hand sweeping up spilled crackers.”
Anna added: “He is a kind, loving, supportive, and caring father and husband — his primary focus in life.
“My children and I rely on Joshua for financial, emotional, and physical support. Many others depend on Joshua, too.”
Anna has been married to Josh since 2008 and has seven children with him.
‘SHELL OF A WOMAN’
Last month, The Celeb Report exclusively revealed she has turned into a “shell of a woman” but refuses to divorce the disgraced star.
“Anna is a shell of a woman at the moment, but she is choosing to stay with Josh. They will not be getting a divorce,” an insider exclusively told The Celeb Report.
“She will visit him when she’s allowed, as she still firmly believes he’s innocent and it was all a set-up.
“Anna is still living at the compound on the Duggar’s land near the main family home and has no plans to move at this time.
“Jim Bob and Michelle don’t believe in divorce at all. So because of that they have told friends that they will financially support Anna and the kids.
“They said Anna has no vocation, has never worked and has no means to support herself and the kids.”
The source added: “Some of Jim Bob’s friends were pretty appalled that he wouldn’t encourage Anna to divorce Josh, or at least tell her that she didn’t have to stay. It sends a bad message to the kids.”
Anna has made more than 100 calls to her spouse since he was locked up.
JOSH’S ARREST
Josh was arrested and charged with possessing and receiving child pornography in April 2021 after Homeland Security raided his used car lot, Wholesale Motorcars, in November 2019.
The highly-publicized jury trial lasted two weeks before the jury submitted a guilty verdict on both counts.
At trial, prosecutors presented damning evidence from Josh’s HP computer.
One folder contained 65 thumbnail files of an underage girl.
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The jury was shown the images and videos that prosecutors claim were found on his computer.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
