The truth behind Kim Plath's arrest
'Welcome to Plathville' seemed like yet another TLC series about a large, conservative, homeschooling Christian family, similar to '19 Kids and Counting' featuring the Duggar family.
Photo: TLC
However, the breakdown of this family has come much quicker than that of the Duggars, and the show quickly delved into the messier side of the Plath family dynamics.
Photo: TLC
It started with the oldest children rebelling against their parents' strict rules, which led to their eldest son Ethan Plath estranging himself from his parents. More recently, the recent breakdown of Kim and Barry Plath's 24 year marriage was shared on the show.
Photo: screenshot from 'Welcome to Plathville.' TLC
However, nobody was expecting the latest drama to plague the family: Kim Plath was arrested for driving while under the influence!
Photo: Wakulla County Jail
It is hard to believe that Kim Plath, a mother who became famous for not allowing her children to drink soda or watch television, never mind enjoy an adult beverage, was arrested for drinking and driving.
Photo: screenshot from 'Welcome to Plathville'
PEOPLE magazine reported that on October 20, 2022, Kim Plath was taken into police custody in Crawfordville, Florida.
Photo: screenshot from 'Welcome to Plathville'
The Wakulla Country Sheriff's office told the media outlet that Kim Plath was arrested on an outstanding warrant for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Photo: screenshot from 'Welcome to Plathville.' TLC
On 'Welcome to Plathville,' Kim and Barry Plath were outspoken about how they disagreed with people drinking in excess. In addition, they even claimed that Ethan's wife, Olivia was a "bad influence" as she introduced Ethan to his first sips of adult beverages.
Photo: screenshot, TLC
In recent episodes of the television reality show, viewers discovered that Kim Plath has been making some significant life changes and not staying true to the strict rules she held her children to for so many years.
Many of these changes came at the same time as Kim decided she no longer wanted to be married to Barry Plath after 24 long years together.
Kim started dressing less modestly, began dancing again, and as we now know, began drinking as she did before she met Barry.
Lydia Plath, one of the older Plath daughters, brought this up on the television show, saying, "What she's doing is going against everything she's taught me."
On this season of 'Welcome to Plathville,' Kim has relaxed her rules surrounding alcohol so much she even went to meet up with her son Micah Plath at a bar for drinks.
Perhaps Kim's arrest is the result of her acting wildly after forcing herself to conform to such a strict lifestyle.
According to TMZ, in June of 2022, Kim Plath's vehicle rolled over into a water-filled ditch. The police who attended to Kim during her time of distress were suspicious and believed she may have been under the influence at the time of the accident.
However, Kim Plath first needed to be checked out at the hospital, and the results of her blood tests took a long time to come in. When the police obtained the results months later, it was clear that Mrs. Plath was impaired at the time of the accident, so they issued a warrant for her arrest in September 2022.
Us Weekly reported that Plath turned herself in at the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office in Florida on October 20, where she was detained for several hours. Us Weekly also reported that Kim Plath was also charged with personal injury and property damage.
Kim Plath's changes in 'Welcome to Plathville' and her arrest have fans all riled up. The message boards on various internet forums have been filled with critiques for the Plath family matriarch. Perhaps, Kim should have better thought out her plans and ideals before she decided to appear on a reality show based on her family's holier-than-thou values!