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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Liam Buckler & Charlie Jones

America's most inbred family's new fame sees cruel hordes flock to area 'to mess with them'

The newfound fame of America's 'most inbred family' has led to hordes of cruel people flocking to their home "to mess with them".

The Whittaker family have a complicated history of inbreeding, leaving them with various genetic defects.

A fundraiser launched to help the family has already raised over $57,000 (£40,000) from kind people who to help with living conditions after their run-down home had fallen into disrepair.

The community is also very protective of the family and chase off anyone who comes near their home to "mess with them."

Some members of the West Virginian clan can only communicate through grunts and barks instead of talking and even run away when people try to speak to them.

Timmy and Lorene are members of the Good Hope congregation (YouTube/Soft White Undderbelly)

Living in the village of Odd, which is 75 miles from Charleston, the Whittakers can't remember much about their parents or other family members and didn't know their genetics issues were due to inbreeding.

One of the daughters, Betty, would not say if her parents were related when asked about their background by a documentary maker, but she later confirmed her mum and dad are double first cousins.

Although the family are largely insulated from their neighbours, they still attend their local church and try to get involve with members.

Money has been raised to help improve their living conditions (YouTube)

Pastor William Plumley told The Mail that Timmy and Lorene had been members of his congregation for many years.

But he also said the 2004 YouTube documentary on them has changed their way of life.

He said: "I think the documentary about them is good and bad, good because it has helped them.

"But also it's brought a lot of people to the area who just want to mess with them."

A filmmaker has revealed the horrifying secrets of America's most notorious inbred family (Soft White Underbelly/Youtube)

The pair visited the church for Easter Sunday and were taken out for breakfast afterwards.

Mr Plumley added to the paper: "They come to the church regularly, and they do real good. Lorene and Timmy come and they try their best to help and they sing and stuff. It's just those two who come now.

"They were here for Easter Sunday, we had our sunrise service and had breakfast after it. They enjoyed it and did their best with singing. The community looks out for them, and they do look out for other people."

The documentary on them has changed their way of life (YouTube)

The pair are active members of the church and regularly get involved with gift exchanges and presents - especially when there are celebrations.

They also have chickens and dogs running around their home, which gives them joy, according to neighbours.

The pastor revealed to The Mail: "They try to help, and they get involved in gift exchanges when people have a baby or something to celebrate."

Ray, Timmy and Freddie Whittaker (Soft White Underbelly/Youtube)

Church members praised the family who suffer from heartbreaking conditions and can only communicate through barking and grunts.

However, they can still understand certain communications, according to one neighbour.

One member, who did not want to be identified, told The Mail the family are misunderstood but are very content with their lives.

They said: "We care a lot about them. They are very sweet people, misunderstood, but very great people who are very happy."

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