HORRIFIC
The Willis Clan No More: A Christian Family Band Comes Apart Amid Child Rape Allegations
Toby Willis, the patriarch of the family band The Willis Clan—of America’s Got Talent fame—has been arrested on child molestation charges, raising many, many questions.
Dana Kennedy
09.14.16 7:10 PM ET
A seemingly squeaky-clean Christian family band from Tennessee consisting of 12 telegenic kids who gained fame on America’s Got Talent and got their own TLC reality show has quietly imploded with the arrest of the children’s father on a child rape charge in Kentucky.
Toby Willis, 46, the hard-driving patriarch of The Willis Clan who said he expected his kids to achieve “excellence” in all they did, was arrested in tiny Greenville, Kentucky, on Sept. 9, just hours before his family was to perform in concert at the Felix Martin Jr. Hall.
After Willis was taken away from the venue in handcuffs on a fugitive from justice warrant by Greenville police and detectives from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, his family went ahead with the show anyway, a source close to the case said.
The TBI began investigating Willis on Aug. 29 after receiving information that Willis had a sexual encounter about 12 years ago with an underage child, according to a police statement issued after Willis’s arrest.
In Tennessee the charge of child rape applies to the sexual assault of children between the ages of 3 and 12.
Nashville’s Newschannel5 reported Wednesday night that Willis had allegedly been charged with raping a family member. It said the family member had been “removed by Willis from her bed and raped.” It also reported that “authorities confirmed Willis was not allowed to go around his biological children or his wife.”
According to the Fox affiliate in Nashville, Brenda Willis issued a statement after her husband’s extradition to Tennessee on Wednesday indicating she and her family are supporting the District Attorney’s office:
“I was shocked and devastated by the revelation of events leading to Toby Willis’ arrest. As these are very trying times for the Willis family, I kindly ask all to respect our family’s privacy. As a mother of twelve, my first priority remains with my children and helping them through this traumatic event.
We are cancelling all appearances for the foreseeable future to focus on the children and their well-being. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We have, and will continue, to fully cooperate with law enforcement officials and ask that you direct all inquires regarding Toby Willis’ case to the District Attorney’s office who have our complete support.”
more:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/09/14/the-willis-clan-no-more-a-christian-family-band-comes-apart-amid-child-rape-allegations.html?via=newsletter&source=Entertainment
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