‘Most inbred family in America’ loses home to fire and now lives in 'cramped conditions' – The Mirror US
In a recent upload, Mark Laita, a man documenting the 'most inbred family in America,' the Whittakers, posted the charred remains of the family's home after a fire tore through the residence, ruining all their possessions in the process.
Mark Laita, the photographer behind the YouTube channel Soft White Underbelly, is rallying support through a charity fund after the Whittaker family's West Virginia trailer home was destroyed in a fire back in March.
The displaced Whittakers, along with their three dogs, are now squeezed into a tight space just across the road after the blaze ripped through their property, injuring one.
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YouTube viewers are divided on the tragedy, as per the comments on the video. One user insisted that the GoFundMe proceeds should not go directly to the family but instead be used to manage cleanup and procure a new trailer: "ALL THAT GO FUND ME MONEY BETTER NOT EVEN GO TO ANY FAMILY MEMBER! Give it directly to a clean up crew and YOU purchase a new trailer 4 them!!!! No money should ever be given to them again."
Another user suggested something more sinister at play, hinting at secrets that could be revealed: "If Ray could talk, he'd tell on them all. His pointing says a lot already."
While another pointed out Timmy's unwavering spirit despite his harsh living conditions: "Timmy is always so excited to see Mark. It's heartbreaking to see the conditions he lives in, yet he still has so much joy," reports the Daily Star.
The fundraiser aims to cover the costs of clearing the debris, transporting and situating a new mobile home, and furnishing it, stating that every penny raised will benefit the family directly. Current contributions have reached $2,232, with an end goal of $16,000.
The Whittaker's story is rooted deep in Odd, West Virginia's tiny village, where they have a notorious reputation for their complex and controversial background.
Some family members can only communicate through grunts and barks, often fleeing when outsiders attempt to converse with them. They struggle to recall their parents and other relatives, and it wasn't until recent years that they realized their issues were due to inbreeding.
The cycle began with identical twin brothers, Henry and John Whittaker, whose children intermarried and had over a dozen offspring. Reports indicate that John fathered nine children with his wife and first cousin, Ada Riggs, including Gracie Irene Whittaker in 1920.
Henry and his wife Sally had seven children, including John Emory Whittaker, who was born in 1913. John Emory and Gracie married in 1935 and had 15 children.
As double cousins, sharing both sets of grandparents, their children suffered severe physical and mental defects, suspected to be due to inbreeding. Betty, born in 1952, is the current head of the family. She vowed to her mother to remain single to care for all her siblings.
In 2020, Laita made a documentary about their life, which has been viewed more than 30 million times. He returned in 2022 for another follow-up after setting up a GoFundMe page, raising thousands for the family.
Upon visiting the family after they received the generous donations, the filmmaker discovered they had used the entire sum on home improvements, including a new roof, kitchen refit, coal heater, and a new truck.
Laita's series offers a raw peek into the lives of people often ignored by society.
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