Oprah Winfrey has just flown the Duggar family, in late 2006, from their isolated farm in Arkansas to Chicago. She covers all accommodations for mom, dad, and their litter of (at the time) 17 kids and counting in exchange for an interview.

The Duggars are a well known reality TV family, iconic for their cult-like way of life. They looked like time travelers. A family plucked from the pre-electricity past and dropped in the middle of the big city.

Before they can even start filming, an anonymous email in all caps, lands in one of the producer’s inboxes:

“…YOU NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH… [REDACTED] HAS MOLESTED [REDACTED] WHILE [REDACTED] WERE SLEEPING AND THE PARENTS HAVE BEEN HIDING THIS SECRET FOR A LONG TIME…”

Oprah takes the tip seriously. She cancels their interview and forwards the email straight to the authorities and a child abuse hot line.

The email is later found to be sent by a [redacted] female. And not only that, the sender is right…

At least 3 Duggars have been arrested thus far, in addition to 1 police officer in connection with their case, all relating to crimes against children.

Full show notes available at RottenMangoPodcast.com

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