Josh Duggar has accused his parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, of focusing on protecting their public image and television legacy instead of taking responsibility for their actions following his child pornography conviction, as reported by Page Six.

In text messages obtained by People, the former “19 Kids and Counting” star expressed his anger toward his mother, saying she and his father had avoided accountability in the aftermath of his prison sentence.

“[I] am very disappointed. I feel like you just don’t receive criticism or take admission for your own actions THAT HAVE DIRECTLY AFFECTED MY LIFE, including in this situation,” Josh, 38, wrote, per the outlet.

He continued by telling his mother, “I AM NOT BLAMING YOU FOR THE SITUATION, BUT YOU ARE BLAMING ME – AND YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW THE TRUTH – YOU SAID THAT YOURSELF TODAY.”

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Despite his 2021 conviction for receiving and possessing child pornography, Josh maintained his innocence in the messages. He claimed another man who worked with him at his used car dealership had downloaded the illegal material.

Josh also told his mother that his parents’ behavior toward him should not change based on whether they believe his version of events.

“I just think you don’t get it. " You don’t understand how you have hurt me, and you keep trying to make yourselves ‘look good’ instead of trying to be concerned about your responses to my charges or anything else in my life,” he wrote.

He continued to express resentment over what he viewed as his parents’ focus on maintaining the family’s reputation. Three months earlier, in another conversation, Josh accused Michelle of prioritizing public relations over family ties.

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“[T]he public statements and pr work to save shows and public images, I feel, were placed above family relationships … and still are to this day,” Josh wrote, according to People.

In the same exchange, Josh told his mom that he believed she “worry about pr more than anything else sometimes.”

Though he stated he was “not trying to shift blame for anything,” Josh urged his mother to “consider your role and change so that other children are not in the same situations later.”

Michelle did not directly engage with his accusations but assured him of her love and sent him supportive messages from other family members.

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Josh was convicted in December 2021 after prosecutors accused him of downloading child sexual abuse material to a computer at his car dealership in May 2019.

He was sentenced in May 2022 to 151 months in prison, equivalent to roughly 12 and a half years, and is currently serving his sentence at FCI Seagoville in Dallas.

Despite multiple failed appeals, Josh has continued to fight for an early release. Page Six reported that his projected release date was recently moved from December 23, 2032, to February 2, 2033.

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