Jim Bob and Josh Duggar ‘Distancing Themselves’ From Each Other Amid Alleged Investigation

Avoiding each other? Jim Bob Duggar and his son Josh Duggar are not interacting much in the wake of an alleged investigation into Josh’s business, Radar Online reported on November 25. When several of the Duggars went to Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, Missouri, Jim Bob, 54, and Josh, 31, didn’t hang out, according to an insider. “They seemed like they were trying to distance themselves,” the eyewitness said. “We saw Jana off with a female friend, Josh and Anna were by themselves watching their kids go on rides, and then Jim Bob and Michelle were on their own with a little one too.”

“Josh and Anna were sitting on the ground out of the way of the kid’s area. They were only with their children,” the insider added. They also noted that the couple allowed their kids to run around the park more than 40 feet away from where they were sitting. “Josh was kind of spaced out, watching his kids run from ride to ride,” said the source. “Josh was never with Michelle and Jim Bob from what I noticed.” They claimed that the entire family was “separate” during the outing.

It could be that Jim Bob and Michelle, 53, are trying to keep their distance to protect their reputations — not to mention their TLC show, Counting On — in the wake of possible legal woes for their oldest son. Homeland Security investigators would not dispute allegations they visited a Northwest Arkansas business owned by Josh, KFSM-TV 5 News Online reported on November 19. The reason for the visit has not yet been disclosed.

A potential investigation by Homeland Security could be rattling Josh’s wife. An eyewitness previously told Radar that Anna appeared to lose one of their kids during the same visit to Silver Dollar City on November 20, and was “concerned” about the missing child.

“Josh and Anna were sitting on the asphalt within the park while their kids ran around from ride to ride. It was so weird that they were a bit far from their kids, but all of a sudden Anna was looking really frantic,” said the insider. “They were all concerned. But then Jim Bob found her in the butterfly ride and told Anna, who was relieved.” That suggests that the family was brought together at least briefly — and for a very good reason.