America’s most prolific clan The DUGGARS under fire as baby Josie faces grim prognosis, The ENQUIRER has learned.
Friends of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar fear the super-size family’s whirlwind lifestyle is putting the tiniest Duggar at risk after the couple’s youngest daughter fell ill in Israel during a three-week overseas trip.
The Arkansas-based, evangelical Christian family – dad Jim Bob, mom Michelle and their massive brood – were overseas filming their TLC reality show “19 Kids and Counting” when 21-month-old Josie was rushed to a local pediatrician’s office.
The child’s oxygen levels had spiraled down, revealed a family insider.
Doctors prohibited Josie – who’d been born prematurely, weighing just 1 pound, 6 ounces – from flying back to the States until she recovered. That forced mom Michelle and older sister Jill to remain with her in Israel for nearly a week while the rest of the family traveled to Alabama for a commitment with Habitat for Humanity.
“Josie has had serious breathing issues since her premature birth,” divulged the insider. “While the Duggars are a loving family who adore their children, they are definitely risking Josie’s life by traveling all over the world.
“It seems like they are putting the show before their child’s health.”
When contacted by The ENQUIRER, Jim Bob claimed Josie was treated for “cold symptoms” and was expected to make a full recovery.
Still, the insider added: “Jim Bob and Michelle need to put their children first, before media attention and money.”