The family previously lied about another family member dying to pocket money given for funeral costs

A FAMILY who became infamous worldwide after claims they are America’s most inbred relations is at the center of an alleged fraudulent scheme.

Cops have begged for the public’s help in finding more information on money and merchandize supposedly sent to the family via two certain names.


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The Whittaker family is considered one of America’s most inbred familyCredit: YouTube/Soft White Underbelly


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The family lives in Odd, West VirginiaCredit: YouTube/Soft White Underbelly


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The family lives in a trash-cluttered homeCredit: Soft White Underbelly
The Whittaker family, who live in West Virginia, gained popularity online after being featured in an interview with Mark Laita, who highlighted the family on his YouTube channel titled Soft White Underbelly.

Laita first photographed the family in the 2004 book, titled Created Equal, but returned to Odd, West Virginia, in 2020 to record an interview with the family.

It quickly garnered millions of views and captured shocking footage of its family members.

In the video, family members were seen speaking in grunts and thick accents, and claimed they are mentally and physically disabled due to generations of inbreeding.

It was said to have started in 1897, when the children of brothers Henry Whittaker and John Whittaker married each other.

Now, police are investigating fraud in connection with the family and have identified two suspects – 41-year-old Lawrence “Eric” Carroll and 41-year-old John “Patrick” Roark, according to WVNSTV.

“The Beckley Detachment of the West Virginia State Police is investigating a fraudulent scheme involving money and merchandise being sent to the Whittaker Family,” the police department wrote in a statement.

“The money is being sent to them via ‘Eric Carroll’ and ‘Patrick Roark.’”

The police ended their statement by asking anyone who has sent money or merchandise to those individuals to contact them.

The fraud investigation comes months after rumors swirled online about the family misusing donations sent to them during a fire.

Inside the home of ‘most famous inbred family’ The Whittakers who ‘speak in grunts’ and their life in town called Odd
In December, the Whittaker family shared news that their mobile home had burned down, leading concerned fans to send them donations.

The family claimed they were forced to live in a cramped and trash-filled mobile home following the fire.

Laita spoke with BJ, the daughter of Larry Whittaker, about the scarring moment the home went up in flames.

BJ said that she saw the flames from the RV as she was cooking in the kitchen.

The daughter said they tried to stop the tragedy by opening a door, but had no luck.

Over 1.4 million people viewed the interview about the family’s heartbreaking fire.

Laita made a GoFundMe for the family’s new mobile home.

However, controversy arose after some family members admitted they were lying for money.

Plus, BJ admitted she lied about her family member Larry dying so she could pocket money for funeral costs.

The lying admission led to Laita threatening to sever ties with the family.

BJ confessed that she only invented the story so she could take the $1,000 given to her by Laita.

The previous lies have even furthered fans’ suspicion of the family.

“All that GoFundMe money better not even go to any family member,” one person commented on Laita’s video.

“Give it directly to a clean up crew and you purchase a new trailer for them.”