Duggar ex-pals Jim & Bobye Holt lose custody of kids & are deemed ‘unfit parents’ after ‘severe physical & mental abuse’

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s former close friends Jim and Bobye Holt have lost custody of their two minor children after an Arkansas judge deemed the parents “unfit.”

Jim, 59, and Bobye, 55, were close friends with Jim Bob, 59, and Michelle, 58, as their eldest daughter had entered a courtship with their oldest son Josh with the goal of marriage. 

In April 2023, Bobye requested an order of protection against her husband, who she shares 11 children with, before dismissing the order in December 2023. 

Jim and Bobye’s son Spencer then filed a petition for emergency guardianship for three of their minor children in January 2024, citing abuse. 

Now, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal per court papers that Jim and Bobye have lost custody of their minor children, ages 13 and 8. 

In the petition for emergency guardianship obtained by The U.S. Sun from Madison County Court in Arkansas, Spencer, who noted he has “developed a close personal relationship with [the minor children] throughout their lives,” claimed Jim “has engaged in a pattern of severe physical and mental abuse of the minor children throughout their life, as witnessed and experienced by the other children who are now over 18 years of age.”

Spencer noted the two protection orders granted against the children’s father on behalf of his son Samuel Holt and wife Bobye, as the three minor children were protected in her order. 

Spencer claimed that “without warning” Bobye dismissed the protection order and allowed Jim back home with the minor children. 

“Bobye has thus again subjected the children to the same physical and mental abuse at the hands of the father that was the cause of the first protection order, without warning or reason, and is not fit to have custody of the children,” the papers allege. 

Spencer then explained how Samuel’s order of protection, which the court granted, is still active because of “years of physical and mental abuse.”

The children are understandably afraid of him.”

Spencer HoltOn dad Jim

“The children’s father has continued this pattern with all of his children, including the three minor children, and he is not fit to have custody of the children. 

“It would be in the best interests of the minor children that a temporary and permanent guardianship be created placing custody of the minor children with the Petitioner,” the papers read.

Spencer continued to allege, “That an emergency exists in which the children’s father has recently engaged in a continuing pattern of physical violence with the children, and subjected the minor children to witnessing the physical and mental abuse of the other siblings, and the children are understandably afraid of him. 

“Jim Holt has made his intentions known to the children if he is allowed to return to the home. Bobye Holt has made it clear by voluntarily dismissing her protection order that she is unwilling to protect the children from this danger.”

He asked to be appointed as the Guardians of Person and the Estate of the minor children immediately.

DENYING THE CLAIMS

In Jim and Bobye’s answer to the petition, they claimed regarding the protection order and abuse, “Respondents admit two orders of protection were consented to without an evidentiary hearing being held. Bobye Holt has since removed the order of protection. 

“The order of protection against Samuel, based on conduct that was alleged to occur after Samuel was an adult, is still in place. To the extent any further response is required, Respondents deny the allegations.”

Regarding the claim that the children are “afraid” of their father, the couple responded, “Respondents deny the allegations. 

“Having fully responded to this Petition, Respondents request this Court deny and dismiss the Petition in its entirety and that Petitioner take nothing thereby, for their attorneys’ fees and costs incurred herein, and for such other relief as this Court deems just and proper.”

Jim and Bobye claim Spencer “is not qualified nor suitable to be a guardian, and that if one is needed, they recommended another couple.

In February 2024, after testimony of the parties and their witnesses, and arguments of attorneys, the court found Spencer is “qualified, suitable and fit” to act as guardian of the three minor children.

“This court finds that due to a history and continuing pattern of abuse in the household of James and Bobye Holt, there is an imminent threat to the health and safety of [the minor children], and as a result, a guardian is desirable to protect the interests of the minor children.”

Spencer was named the permanent guardian of the oldest minor child, and temporary guardian of the two younger minors, according to court papers.

Jim was ordered to continue his current counseling until discharged by the counselor. 

Visitation between the children and their parents is to be held at the direction of their counselor and Attorney Ad Litem for the minor children. 

Jim and Bobye were also ordered to pay child support to Spencer for the minor children. 

In May 2024, the guardianship of the oldest minor child was dismissed because she reached the age of 18. 

NEW GUARDIAN

Then in August 2024, a petition for substitution of guardian was filed. 

“The current guardian, Spencer Holt, consents that it is in the children’s best interest that the Substitute Petitioner be appointed Guardian of the minor children at this time.”

The substitute petitioner is Kristian Holt, the older biological sibling to the minor children. 

“The minor children have a closely held relationship with their siblings, including the Substitute Petitioner, who has created a community of care, support and resources for the minor children during this time. 

“During the pendency of the temporary guardianship, the children have enjoyed ample time spent with their older sibling, Kristian Holt, and have expressed a desire to move full time into her care and custody.”

Jim and Bobye responded to the request, “Respondents admit that all their children, grown and minor, have had a close relationship with one another and are thankful that their children have each other for support. 

“However, Respondents do not believe that all their grown children’s behavior has been directed at assisting [the minor children] in addressing the emotional harm to [the minor children’s] relationship with their parents and healing said relationship.”

They claim Spencer and Kristian “have taken actions to alienate their minor children from them.”

“Respondents have cause to believe that Kristian Holt, in particular, is filled with extreme bile toward both Respondents and this hostility makes her unsuitable to act as guardians… as they believe this has interfered with the emotional healing of the children.

“Kristian Holt is not allowed to have guardianship of [the minor children,” Jim and Bobye requested.

FINAL CUSTODY DECISION

But on September 26, the Arkansas judge on the case granted the petition for Kristian to be the guardian of the two minor children after the parties participated in mediation held on September 18. 

The court papers read, “The court finds that the parents of the minor children are currently unfit and the children are in need of a guardian to protect their life and health, and it is in the best interest of the children that a guardian be appointed. 

“The court further finds that Kristian Holt is qualified and suitable to serve as guardian.”

According to the agreement, Jim and Bobye are allowed two phone calls per week with the minor children on Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:30pm. 

For a period of eight weeks, visitation shall be supervised by a visitation service. 

Visitation shall be for two hours each week on Mondays. 

After eight weeks, visitation will be during the day, unsupervised, in a public place for three hours a week. 

Four weeks after that, Jim and Bobye will have unsupervised visitation every Monday from 8am to 7pm. 

Then four weeks after that period, visitation will be unsupervised every Sunday from 1pm to Monday at 7pm. 

After four weeks, visitation will be every Sunday at 1pm to Tuesday at 7pm. 

Finally, four weeks after that period, visitation will be every Sunday from 1pm to Friday at 8am. 

“Once they have completed the visitation outlined above, the minor children shall return to the legal and physical custody of the Respondents, subject to visitation with the Guardian outlined below, and the guardianship shall automatically terminate unless a petition has been filed to the contrary.”

When the minor children are returned to the legal custody of Jim and Bobye, the guardian will have visitation every other weekend from Friday at 3:30pm to Monday at 8am, and every Tuesday evening from 3:30pm to Wednesday 8am for a period of 12 months. 

Jim and Bobye are ordered to pay $670 a month in child support to Kristian. 

Jim Holt denied the claims and ruling when The U.S. Sun reached out for comment, claiming it is inaccurate and under seal.

He added, “Beyond that, we have no further response.”

PROTECTION ORDER CLAIMS

The custody case comes after Bobye filed an order of protection against Jim.

In the Petition for Order of Protection previously reported on by The U.S. Sun, Bobye checked off that she is filing the petition because “[she] believes [she] continues to be in immediate danger of domestic abuse.”

She also checked off, “I am the parent/guardian of a child whom I believe is in danger of domestic abuse.”

Bobye, who married Jim in 1987, alleged in the Affidavit, “On 4-6-2023, my adult son got belligerent with his father and in return his father, my husband, got physical with our adult son, all the while in front of our minor children. 

“I told my husband multiple times to stop and not do this and especially in front of our minor children.

“I was told to shut up multiple times.”

Bobye continued to claim, “I believe now that my adult son has filed charges against his father and feel that my husband would confront me in the presence of my minor children.

“Even though he hasn’t been physical with our minor children (to my knowledge) I do not feel it is healthy for them to witness this form of confrontation between myself and my husband. 

“My husband has been physical in the past with our other children who are adults now, but were older teens at the time, but not ever with our current minor children who are 16 (almost 17), 11 and 7 years old.

“But I feel there is now a current reason for this order to be put in place. Because of the altercation on 4-6-23 I have been advised to get the children out of his presence because there was another altercation between my adult son.”

Bobye claimed she and the minor children did not witness the other altercation. 

She continued to allege, “I have since moved my children and myself to my oldest adult son’s home. This son is not the one filing the charges against his father. 

“But we would like to go back to our home… without worry he will come and confront or emotionally harm our minor children. 

“I believe our home is the most stable place and best suited for our children instead of my oldest son’s apartment. Please consider my request.”

Bobye requested the three minor children in their care be protected from their father as well. 

A Final Order of Protection was granted until May 8, 2033. 

Jim was prohibited from “any place where petitioner and/or minors may be located.”

Bobye was awarded temporary custody of the minor children. 

JIM AND BOBYE RECONCILE

Then on December 29, 2023, Bobye requested to dismiss the order. 

She wrote, “Jim has shown great strides in getting the help he needs.

“This info has been shared with me via friends, (letters from therapist), paperwork he filed, complying with the order for 8 ½ months, never contacted me or been on my property via cameras (for proof) and word of mouth from four men who have counseled with us (separately) for the duration. For the purpose of joint therapy.”

She checked off on the form “I request the dismissal freely and voluntarily and of my own free will” and “I am no longer in fear of respondent.”

HOLT FAMILY TELLS ALL

The couple appeared happy and affectionate during Amazon Prime’s Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets, which premiered in June 2023. 

The docuseries exposed the Duggar family’s belief in the controversial organization The Institute of Basic Life Principles. 

Jim and Bobye held hands while detailing their decades-long friendship with Jim Bob and Michelle.

Bobye said during the docuseries, “Over the years our relationship with them had grown. [Their oldest son] Josh was our first daughter’s boyfriend. We had known him since he was a baby.”

The couple split when Josh, 36, allegedly admitted to molesting five females in the family home in 2002 and 2003, Bobye and Jim explained in the docuseries. 

His younger sisters Jill, 32, who appeared in the docuseries, and Jessa, 31, came forward as victims. 

Bobye claimed, “What Jim Bob had said to us was Josh had gotten into some trouble. He’s touched his sisters inappropriately.”

Jim added on the docuseries, “We found out about it when he was 15. We were like, ‘Well when were you going to tell us?’ Michelle said, ‘Well we weren’t going to tell you guys at all. We were going to have Josh confess to Kayleigh once they were married. 

Jim said, ‘Were you using my daughter as a carrot to get him to behave the right way?’ And he said, ‘Yeah kind of.’” 

A rep for Jim Bob and Michelle did not respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment at the time. 

TAKING THE STAND

Bobye and Jim were also present at Josh’s child pornography trial and sentencing.

The matriarch took the stand and testified against Josh.

Josh was arrested for one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography in April 2021. 

Bobye testified that the plan was for her oldest daughter and Josh to “get married,” but she and Jim decided to call off the courtship after learning of the reported molestation.

She explained, “He told us so our oldest daughter would know why the relationship had to end. Josh went to a facility for troubled youth.”

Bobye cried in the courtroom as she claimed she “still loves” Josh despite his past behavior, adding, “Being here is miserable.”

Josh, 35, was found guilty of possessing and receiving child pornography in December 2021 and has been serving his 151-month prison sentence at FCI Seagoville in Texas.

The disgraced reality star filed an appeal to the conviction in October 2022, as he is requesting the court grant him a new trial. 

The appeal was denied.