The Whittakers have become one of America’s most famous families due to their complicated history of inbreeding.
Their unique lives were first brought into the public eye when filmmaker Mark Laita photographed its members for his book, ‘Created Equal.’
He has since shared snippets of the Whittaker family on his popular YouTube channel, Soft White Underbelly.
But Laita’s relationship with the family hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
Over the years, the photographer has tried to help the Whittakers overcome their poor living conditions – at one point launching two GoFundMe pages.
However, these fundraisers came to a halt following a series of events.
Laita’s relationship with the Whittakers changed when YouTuber Tyler Oliveira interviewed the family for his channel.
When interviewed by the content creator, Betty Whittaker claimed she was unsure what had happened to all the money fundraised for her family.
Surprised by this turn of events, Laita responded on his YouTube channel.
The filmmaker claimed the Whittakers would frequently ask for money from the fundraiser and he was unsure what it was being put towards. To back up his claims, he showed bank statements.
Not wanting to cut ties with the family, Laita gave Betty a chance to clarify her comments.
Yet she appeared confused when the photographer asked whether she understood that he hadn’t withheld any money.
The situation escalated when it was falsely claimed that another family member, Larry, had suddenly died.
Before uncovering the truth, Laita reportedly gave Larry’s daughter $1,000 to help with funeral expenses.
After learning that Larry was alive and well, it would be revealed his daughter was behind the hoax.
On Laita’s channel, she said: “I’m not proud of what I’ve done. I shouldn’t have done it.”
Despite apologizing for the deception, it wouldn’t be the last time the Whittakers lied to the filmmaker.
In a later YouTube video, Laita questioned whether he should ‘just walk away,’ as he learned he had now been lied to by Larry.
According to the Soft White Underbelly creator, Larry requested further funding to help his daughter start afresh in a different state.
However, he would soon learn that the father had kept the money.
While Laita’s followers would have understood if he’d cut ties with the family, the filmmaker has decided to give the Whittakers another chance.
In his latest update on the family, titled ‘Thicker Than Water,’ the photographer pulled up to their property and shook hands with Larry, who apologized for his actions.
He said: “I’m sorry for what they’ve done to you and I want to tell the whole world that I’m sorry for what they done.”
Laita responded: “I’m very good at forgiving and understanding. I’ve missed you guys, I think a lot of my viewers have missed you guys too.”
He has also launched another fundraiser for the family, which aims to help with ‘living expenses and maintaining their home.’
Amid the family’s newfound attention, people have questioned how the Whittakers and their history of inbreeding began.
According to the Daily Mail, the Whittaker’s inbreeding began with a set of identical twin brothers, Henry and John.
Henry’s son John and his twin’s daughter Gracie reportedly welcomed 15 children: Aileen, Emory, Barbra, Nannie Lou, Connie Jean, Freddy, Lorene Sue, Mary Madeleine, John, Betty Ann, Danny Ray, Larry Eugene, Kenneth Waye, Judy Kay, Michael Steven.
While little is known about some of the siblings, Betty is now considered the head of the Whittaker family.
In a Soft White Underbelly video, Betty revealed she promised her mother she wouldn’t marry and would look after her siblings instead.
The family is protected by neighbors who don’t take kindly to strangers knocking at their door.