Things are changing in Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s house … for more reasons than one. The 19 Kids and Counting couple is relinquishing custody of their great-nephew Tyler to his grandparents. They have been caring for the teen since 2016, when his mother, Rachel Hutchins, became unable to care for him. Rachel is the daughter of Carolyn, Michelle’s sister. Now, it seems like Tyler will be living with Carolyn, who is his grandmother, and she’s now petitioning the court to make them his legal guardians instead of Jim Bob and Michelle.
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The Duggars support Tyler living with his grandparents.
“We specifically consent to the appointment of his grandparents, John Martin Hutchins and Carolyn Jeanette Hutchins, as general guardians of minor child Tyler Wayne Hutchins and enter our appearance for any necessary purposes and proceedings in any court of contempt jurisdiction to be instituted for formal and legal guardianship of said child,” the Duggars wrote in court papers obtained by The U.S. Sun.
Carolyn Hutchins and her husband already have Tyler in their care.
Tyler’s grandparents had “physical control and custody” of Tyler from the beginning of August 2015 to June 2016, when Jim Bob and Michelle then took over as his guardians. And now, Tyler is back with them again — and interestingly enough, Tyler went to live with them just days after the docuseries about the family and their cult-like religion, Shiny Happy People, premiered on Amazon Prime Video.
“Petitioners have physical control and custody of the minor child and have acted as caregivers for the minor child since June 5 of this year,” the court papers read.
The Hutchins want to make their custody arrangement legal.
The paperwork states, “the Petitioners believe that they are the fit and proper persons to provide for the care and welfare of Tyler. They are requesting that they be the appointed guardians.”
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Rachel is currently unable to care for Tyler.
Tyler’s biological father is listed as “undetermined” in the court documents as he’s not listed on his birth certificate. Rachel, who is 30, has “entrusted Tyler to the care and control of the Petitioners. Furthermore, Rachel is presently unable to meet Tyler’s health, safety, and other needs.”
According to the papers, Rachel is “unemployed, has no income lacks any means of transportation, and is currently on probation.”
It has been a rough few years for Jim Bob and Michelle.
Jim Bob and Michelle became Tyler’s guardians in 2016 after his grandmother suffered from a stroke and became unable to care for him. In November of that same year, Jim Bob and Michelle were made his permanent guardians.
Since the Duggars took custody of Tyler, they have faced their fair share of troubles. Their eldest son Josh was arrested and charged for possession and receiving child pornography in 2021. He was sentenced to 151 months behind bars in April 2022. In June 2023, the Shiny Happy People documentary showed their religious sect in an unflattering light. Then, in September 2023, their daughter Jill released a memoir detailing her life in the famous family.
Something tells us the roller coaster isn’t over for them just yet, either …
