After nearly two decades of marriage and raising an astonishing 14 children, reality TV stars Deon and Karen Derrico, known for their TLC show Doubling Down With the Derricos, have announced their divorce, leaving fans and viewers stunned. The news of their separation has sparked widespread curiosity, with many questioning the reasons behind the dissolution of what appeared to be a strong and loving family unit on television. Here’s what we know about the Derricos’ divorce and the timeline of events.
The Timeline of the Derrico Divorce
Legal documents reveal that Deon and Karen Derrico officially filed for divorce on June 4, 2024. The speed at which the proceedings concluded further surprised observers, as the divorce settlement was finalized just two days later, on June 6, according to reports from TMZ. This swift resolution suggests a potentially amicable separation, or at least a pre-arranged agreement between the couple.
Alt text: Deon and Karen Derrico pose happily with their large family of children, showcasing their once united front before their recent divorce announcement.
Details from the legal filings indicate that Deon and Karen have agreed to equally share both legal and physical custody of their 13 minor children. In terms of financial arrangements, Deon is set to pay $1,166 per month in child support, while Karen will be responsible for maintaining the children’s medical insurance coverage. These arrangements point to a practical approach to co-parenting despite the marital split.
Following the public revelation of their divorce, Deon and Karen released a joint statement emphasizing their continued commitment to their children. “Together, we remain unified in the parenting of our 14 beautiful children – their well-being is our priority,” the statement read. “We thank everyone for their understanding and support as we move forward for the good of our family.” This unified message aimed to reassure fans that despite the personal changes, their children’s welfare remains their paramount concern.
Deon Derrico’s Public Statements Post-Divorce
In the weeks following the divorce finalization, Deon Derrico addressed the situation publicly through his social media. Approximately two weeks after the divorce was official, Deon took to Instagram to share a message of resilience and positivity. “When you have nothing else in this world as long as you have your great health and family nothing else really matters!” he wrote on June 18, 2024. This initial statement, while not directly addressing the divorce reasons, signaled a focus on his well-being and family support system during this transition.
Alt text: Deon Derrico smiling confidently in a social media post, conveying a message of mental strength and well-being amidst his recent divorce.
A week later, Deon provided a more explicit update on his mental state. In a video message on Instagram on June 25, 2024, he acknowledged the challenges he was facing but affirmed his positive outlook. “I am doing mentally great. I really and truly am. It’s not a cover-up, it’s not a facade. I’m doing very good,” Deon stated. He further elaborated, “I’m not depressed nor sad albeit I’ve been inundated with a lot of challenges here recently, but I’m emotionally very healthy, sound in my thinking, and feeling very blessed for my great health and family!!!” These statements suggest Deon is actively managing the emotional impact of the divorce and prioritizing a healthy mindset.
As of yet, Karen Derrico has not made any public statements regarding the divorce, maintaining silence on social media and in the press.
The Derrico Family: A Look Back
Deon and Karen Derrico’s journey to parenthood is a significant part of their public persona. Over their 19-year marriage, they welcomed 15 biological children. Their first daughter, Darian, born in 2005, is now an adult and was not part of the custody arrangements. Following Darian, they had son Derrick in 2010, then twins Denver and Dallas in 2011. The arrival of quintuplets – Deniko, Dariz, Deonee, Daician, and Dayton – in 2013 further amplified their unique family dynamic. In 2017, they welcomed triplets Diez, Dior, and Carter, tragically losing Carter shortly after birth. Finally, in 2019, they had another set of triplets, Dawsyn, De’Aren, and Dyver.
Alt text: A joyful group photo of the Derrico children, highlighting the large and loving family at the center of the reality TV show.
In previous interviews, Karen had expressed a desire to possibly expand their already large family. As recently as 2022, she hinted at not feeling “complete” and not ruling out having more children, despite the significant costs associated with raising such a large family, including a monthly grocery bill estimated between $2,500 and $3,500. Deon echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the immense love within their household.
Despite these past expressions of family unity and potential future expansion, the divorce announcement marks a significant shift for the Derricos. While the exact reasons for their separation remain undisclosed, the focus now appears to be on co-parenting their children and navigating this new chapter in their lives individually. The question of “why” the Derricos divorced continues to linger, but for now, the public is left with the facts of the split and the Derricos’ commitment to their children’s well-being.
