Amy (Duggar) Kingis offering some “tough” advice to her cousinJosh Duggar’s wife,Anna Duggar.
On Instagram Monday, Amypenned a powerful open letterto Anna amid Josh’s controversialchild pornography trial.
Amy acknowledged that she understood what a difficult time this must be for Anna, she also pointed out that there is “no shame” in divorcing Josh.
Amy assured Anna, 33, that she’s “not coming after [her] with some sort of tough love thing” but that “this is what’s simply on [her] heart.” Because of this, Amy “can’t help” but speak out.
“I cried as I read the letter your own father wrote in support of your husband this week. It’s no wonder you’re struggling to know what to do to protect your own kids … you’ve obviously never had an example there. That’s awful and I’m so sorry for that,” Amy said.
Amy King/Instagram; Anna Duggar/Instagram
“But my Mom was a fierce protector and so am I,” wrote Amy. “She showed me how to stand up and speak up. If no one else in your life is saying it, I need you to understand that there is no shame in divorcing Josh.”
She continued, “Someday your kids will be old enough to understand what kind of guy their father really is. You can’t protect them from the truth for forever! I’m saying all of this publicly so that when they do grow up, they will also know that they had family members shouting from the rooftops that they were worth protecting all along.”
Amy pleaded with Anna to “be the role model” that her children “need” during this dire time, noting that she andher husband Dillon King"are more than willing to help."
“Josh has chosen how history will remember him,” she wrote. “By staying and supporting him you’re allowing him to choose that for you, too.”
Anna has been married to Josh, 34, since 2008. The longtime pair share seven children, one of whom wasborn in November 2021.
As he awaits his sentencing later this month, the former19 Kids and Countingstar’s mother,Michelle Duggar, penned a letter in his defense to Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas Federal Court. She saidher son “has a tender heart” and “is compassionate toward others.”
Additionally, the 55-year-old Duggar family matriarch requested that Josh be “reunited with his wife and family in a timely manner.”
Anna Duggar/Instagram
Anna also wrote a letter to the judge. According to theDaily Mail, she maintained she’s still “happily married” and called Josh “the kindest person.”
In response, Amy told PEOPLEshe’s “angry” with Josh’s actionsand “furious” at their family as they “refuse to hold him accountable.”
“I take a lot of intentional effort to protect my mind and heart and still, this has me crumpled,” she said. “But you know what? We’re not supposed to be ok in light of any of this. And I’m giving myself the grace to feel all the anger and sadness and disappointment running through me.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Josh will return to court on May 25. He faces up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
source: people.com
