Rory Feek attempted to mend things with his two eldest daughters, but it didn’t go the way he’d hoped.
As Perezcious readers surely know, the country star was accused of being in a “cult” and letting child molesters look after his youngest daughter, Indiana, who has special needs. The shocking allegations were levied against him by his adult daughters Heidi and Hopie, who are worried for Indiana after being unable to contact her amid this family feud.
Related: Cult Parents Accused Of Killing Diabetic Daughter Allegedly Did WHAT?!
Earlier this month, Rory hit back at the accusations, arguing that his daughters have been unwilling to resolve the issue on his terms. And now it turns out that he tried to take matters into his own hands and speak to them in person! But it backfired!
His Visit
In a new blog post titled “canceled” out on Tuesday, the singer acknowledged his family “isn’t perfect” and that they’ve “always been a work in progress.” He added:
“Our family struggles aren’t something that just happened this summer. We’ve always been a work-in-progress, and I feel fairly certain we always will be. There are things that my older daughters and I need to work out together. Right now we’re at an impasse on how that’s ever going to happen.”
The One Angel vocalist revealed that a week and a half ago, he drove down to Alabama, where his daughters live, to discuss things. He explained:
“[I had] hopes that we might be able to sit down and talk, or better yet, I’d just sit and listen to whatever they wanted to say and maybe have the chance to give them a hug and at least try to show them how much I love them. But even though their cars were in the driveway and they were inside, no one answered.”
He left two bouquets of peace lily flowers for them on the doorstep and drove home. On his two-hour drive back, he received a text from Heidi that read:
“We are only willing to talk with you with a licensed therapist or attorney or both.”
Highlighting the standstill they’re now in, he wrote:
“That is where the impasse comes in. They believe that it’s the job of someone with a doctorate, legal or masters degree to repair what is broken in our family. And I believe that it’s our job. Our responsibility to put our differences aside, sit down together as adults and do everything in our power to fix what is broken and mend what needs repaired.”
He might be upset about the thought of involving others into this personal matter, but from an outsider’s perspective, it just seems like they don’t feel safe having a solo conversation with him! Now that’s a red flag! FWIW, the girls’ desire to have a second party with them during their next meeting with their father has been clear from the start. In their previous statement, they detailed:
“The last time we sat down to have this conversation, without a mediator as you requested, you told us you were done being our father. We forgive you.”
Sounds like some s**t really went down and now they are standing firm on their boundary. Too bad their father didn’t respect their wish! He shouldn’t have been surprised they didn’t want to see him. Just saying!
Daughters’ Side
Opening up about this “intimidating” interaction, Heidi told People on Thursday that she wasn’t home when her father arrived, but her husband Dillion and sister Hopie were. Apparently, once Dillion noticed the unexpected visitor was Rory, Hopie started to have a panic attack. After a quick call to Heidi and their lawyer — which only took an estimated four minutes — Dillion went to answer the door and Rory was gone! Remarking on the unannounced arrival, Heidi shared:
“Regardless of the intention, it came off as intimidating. We’ve set really clear boundaries. We have such a hard time communicating with him and feeling heard that we really don’t feel like it’s possible without a third party. [Visiting] was never for us, because if he was trying to reach us, he would do it in the way that we’ve requested of him, or at least text us and say, ‘Hey, I’m coming.’”
Heidi also confirmed that she filed legal documents against the songwriter earlier this month. The details of the filing are confidential because Indiana is a minor. That said, the legal proceedings are ongoing and Heidi said her father was served with the papers after his visit. Oof. Not the best timing.
Indiana Update
As for how Indiana is doing, Rory insisted she’s fine. He wrote in his blog:
“In the meantime, just know that Indiana is doing super well. She’s everything but, neglected. I have never, nor will I ever, allow her to be in an unsafe situation. Indy’s surrounded by love and people who love her.”
But he then put his eldest kids ON BLAST — arguing that they’re hurting their sister in the long run. His post concluded:
“And lastly — contrary to what they say is the motive behind all this — the person my daughters, and everyone is hurting the most is our little one. I’m a grown man and you can hurt me or drag my name through a football field of mud all you want… but Indiana is a precious, innocent ten-year-old little girl and doesn’t deserve any of this. One day when she grows up, the terrible things her big sisters, and others, have been saying online will still be out there and those untrue words will hurt her, and not make her life any easier or better. People will look at her differently — not just because of her almond eyes – but because she has been used as a pawn in sad game of ‘she said, he said’. So, if you must continue throwing mud… please, keep Indiana’s name and picture out of it.”
Wow. You can read the full blog post HERE.
What’s Next
As mentioned, Rory is accused of being in a “cult” — AKA a group called the Homestead Heritage, an “agrarian and craft-based intentional Christian community” of which he and his new wife Rebecca are a part. Among the issues with it, though, are that several former members have been arrested and charged with child abuse. Reflecting on why she’s putting up this fight in light of that, Heidi told People:
“I really just want to be able to be in my little sister’s life and I can’t. I’m trying to do the right thing.”
On Instagram, she also released a statement on behalf of her sister and husband on Wednesday, adding:
“Whether it’s unexpected visitors coming on our property, members of your ‘organization’ threatening us, or online harassment from your followers — know this: We will not be intimidated. We will continue to fight for Indiana and her safety. — Heidi, Hopie & Dillion”
This has to be a very difficult time for them all. Sad to see the family has made no progress. We hope the little girl remains healthy and happy despite this confusing family dynamic and concerning legal issues.
Thoughts? Share them in the comments (below).
[Image via Heidi Feek/Rory Feek/Instagram]
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