Home / Arts and Entertainment / Abuse Survivor Finds Refuge with Loving Cousin After Tumultuous Marriage
Abuse Survivor Finds Refuge with Loving Cousin After Tumultuous Marriage
11 Oct
Summary
- Amy Duggar King's mother, Deanna, endured years of alleged abuse in her previous marriage
- Deanna now lives with Amy and feels "safe" after leaving her abusive relationship
- Amy's memoir addresses abuse within her own family and her cousin Josh Duggar's crimes

In October 2025, Amy Duggar King, the former "19 Kids and Counting" star, is opening up about the abuse her mother, Deanna, endured in her previous marriage. According to Amy, Deanna is now "safe" living with her after years of alleged abuse.
Amy, 39, explains that Deanna used to wake up with "so much fear" and was "so scared" in her previous relationship. The abuse was so severe that Deanna would sometimes not even come out of her room on certain days. As a child, Amy knew her father, Terry Jordan, was emotionally abusive towards her and her mother, which prevented Deanna from fully committing to parenting.
In her debut memoir, "Holy Disruptor," Amy also addresses the actions of her cousin, convicted sex offender Josh Duggar, as well as the alleged abuse within her own immediate family. After cutting off her relationship with her father, Amy is now "very much in love" with her husband of 10 years, Dillon King, and they have a son, Daxton Ryan King, born in 2019.
Amy is focused on modeling a healthy relationship for Daxton, something she never had growing up. With Deanna now living with her, Amy is grateful that her mother can finally feel safe and secure.