Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are relinquishing custody of their 15-year-old child to his “safe and stable” grandparents in a shocking court case
JIM Bob and Michelle Duggar have handed over custody of their 15-year-old nephew Tyler to his grandparents in a shocking court case.
Jim Bob, 58, and Michelle, 57, have been Tyler’s legal guardians since 2016, as his mother Rachel Hutchins, the daughter of Michelle’s sister Carolyn, was unable to care for him.
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In court documents exclusively obtained by The US Sun, the parents of 19 children agreed to hand over guardianship of their nephew to his grandparents Carolyn and John.
Jim Bob and Michelle wrote in June 2023 court filings: “We expressly consent to the appointment of his grandparents, John Martin Hutchins and Carolyn Jeanette Hutchins, as general guardians of the minor child, Tyler Wayne Hutchins, and for all purposes and proceedings necessary.” A contempt court must be established for the formal and legal guardianship of the child.”
On September 5, 2023, plaintiffs Carolyn and John stated that they had “physical control and custody” of Tyler from early August 2015 until June 2016, when Jim Bob and Michelle then became his guardians.
The court filing states, “Plaintiffs have physical control and custody of the minor child and have served as guardians of the minor child since June 5 of this year.”
“Plaintiffs, husband and wife, are legally authorized to act as guardians of this person.
“Plaintiffs believe they are the fit and proper people to provide for the care and well-being of Tyler. They demand that they be appointed as guardians.
Tyler’s biological father is “undetermined” and not listed on the birth certificate.
His mother Rachel, 30, has “entrusted Tyler to the care and control of the applicants.” Additionally, Rachel is currently unable to meet Tyler’s health, safety and other needs.
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“MS. Hutchins is unemployed, has no income, no transportation, and is currently on probation.”
Rachel “does not object to this grant of guardianship.”
The court filing continues: “Plaintiffs have the resources and commitment to provide Tyler with a stable and safe home environment, and they respectfully request this Court to appoint them as Tyler’s guardian.”
Court documents say Tyler has $204 in his bank account.
In his October 2022 annual report, he had $7,851 in savings.
A judge in Arkansas has not yet approved the request.
Carolyn responded “no comment” when The US Sun asked about the Duggars’ conservatorship signing.
A representative for Jim Bob and Michelle did not respond to the US Sun’s request for comment.
Without a crystal ball was the first to report on the trial.
I’m taking Tyler in
Jim Bob and Michelle became Tyler’s permanent guardians in 2016.
In their temporary guardianship application, obtained by The US Sun, they stated that Tyler’s grandmother had custody until she could no longer care for him when she suffered a stroke in July 2016.
Court documents said Tyler’s mother, Rachel, was “homeless with no permanent address” and lived in a motel most of the time because she was unemployed.
Rachel “entrusted Tyler to the care and control” of Jim Bob and Michelle because she was “unable to meet Tyler’s health, safety and other needs,” the court papers say.
During this time, Rachel supervised the visit to Tyler.
They were named Tyler’s permanent guardians in November 2016.
TRUSTED MOTHER
According to online court records, Rachel was charged with burglary and theft of property under $1,000 in May 2016.
She was sentenced to supervised probation.
Tyler can be seen in a number of family photos on the Duggar’s Instagram page, as he appears to have fit in well with the family.
On his 13th birthday in February 2021, the family posted photos of Tyler with the caption: “Tyler is a very special part of our family and he turns 13 today!”
“We celebrated his birthday with a fun afternoon together at Top Golf. I honestly can’t believe how much our boys are growing weekly/monthly!! I love these guys…and the guy behind the camera (Jim Bob!)”
DUGGAR PROBLEMS
The Duggar family has had a difficult few years.
Jim Bob and Michelle’s eldest son, Josh, was arrested in April 2021 and charged with possession and receipt of child pornography.
The jury returned a guilty verdict and Josh was sentenced in May 2022 to 151 months in federal prison.
In June 2022 he was transferred to FCI Seagoville where he continues to serve his sentence.
Josh’s attorney, Justin Gelfand, filed an appeal to overturn the conviction and order a new trial.
He argued that federal agents allegedly confiscated Josh’s phone when he tried to contact his attorney during a raid on his car lot a year and a half before the arrest, while he was speaking to the agents without an attorney present.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied his request for a new trial.
Josh’s attorney filed a motion for a rehearing.
Many of the Duggar children have broken away from the family’s strict religion in recent years, as Jill and Jinger both published scathing tell-all books about growing up in the Institute in Basic Life Principles.
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