Two younger members of the Whittaker family have spoken out about their experiences growing up in what has been branded America's 'most inbred' household.
YouTuber Mark Laita has been creating documentaries shared online, shedding light on a family who live in West Virginia in America who are considered to be the 'most inbred' family in the country
In making the documentary, the filmmaker visited the Whittaker's home - an isolated backcountry shack in a hamlet named Odd - and has reportedly been building a relationship with them since 2020.
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In one of his documentary videos posted to his YouTube channel 'Soft White Underbelly,' Laita noted there 'is no way' he 'would be able to confirm that the Whittaker parents are related'.
However, he continued: "But given that this does happen in this part of the country and the Whittakers are the most extreme case I’ve seen so far. I would bet that inbreeding was at least partly responsible for the mental and physical abnormalities seen in [siblings] Lorraine, Freddie, Ray, and [cousin] Timmy."
While some members of the family are unable to communicate verbally, relying on grunts and barks, Laita has since released footage from when he sat down with Brandon and Luis, BJ's sons and Larry Whittaker's grandsons who were able to verbalise their experiences.
The brothers grew up in and around the Whittaker family and told the YouTuber about what it was like.
Brandon, 21, explained his auntie Betty Whittaker raised him 'from like a three-month-old' until he was 'about six or seven'.
Luis, 19, said he stayed in North Carolina until the age of two before going to grow up with his grandpa - who lived near the Whittaker family home - not seeing his dad and 'barely' seeing his mom.
Luis explained it was 'pretty fun as a kid' growing up in the area.
"Until you got older and you kind of understand what's going on," he added.
Luis said it 'got pretty rough at around five or six' because he was placed in foster care when he was six, getting out after his seventh birthday but 'not allowed' to come back to see his grandpa because his grandpa 'tried to shoot one of [their] stepdads' who had allegedly been 'beating on' their mom.
Brandon lived in the Whittaker family house itself, saying it was 'pretty good actually,' recalling memories of fishing with Freddie.
"He'd always have a can of worms and a fishing pole every week and come up here. He'd want to go behind the chicken pen and fish. I miss that sometimes," he said, resolving he 'couldn't ask for a better childhood'.
When people would come down the driveway and harass the Whittaker family, Luis said he'd go outside and throw potatoes and eggs at the cars.
And despite noting it's 'not too bad' where they live, Brandon said he'd 'like to get away'.
The brothers were in school until 11th grade. Brandon has two children and 'another on the way' and Luis is now working two jobs, but has dreams of being a 'big time nurse or doctor'.
They agreed the hardest part of living in the area is having 'less opportunity'.
Luis explained he's 'pushing' to go to Indiana, adding: "There are fewer opportunities living here. Every day you've got to think if you'll pull through or not - and make it until the end of the day. "
Brandon said: "I worry about [my kids growing up round here]. I don't think I'm gonna stick round here too long."
Topics: Health, Mental Health, US News
Poppy Bilderbeck