The SAD Truth About the DeBarge Family | Drugs, Prison & Family Secrets 

10 insanely talented siblings all victims of generational trauma and drug abuse. The Debarge family blessed us with timeless music displaying greatness despite their many adversities. I pray this family finds healing happiness & forgiveness.

I just cannot wrap my mind around how she was able to leave her children knowing that demon was beating and SA them. How?! Huh? I’d die for my kids if it meant protecting them..Mama Debarge went to church, praising Jesus while her kids were living in hell. I’ll never understand it 🥺

Etterlene supposedly knows everything or wants to talk about everything, but she won’t address the abuse of her kids. She’s a liar even in her old age. She didn’t protect her kids and still doesn’t. It’s a shame to have birthed 10 kids who all became addicts.

One of the most talented groups ever who were not protected from a sick abusive parent.They were the most abused children in history and their story brings tears All my love❤🙏Debarge.Hey Chico and El ❤and 🙏Bunny , Great Job with documentary/video

It is so sad that this family has suffered so much abuse at the hands of their parents. The mother enabled the father to allow him to beat and SA the children .The DeBarges are a very talented family and it is always the case of the abuser using power and control to instill fear in the children so they can do what they tell them to do . They use drugs to numb the pain of abuse.😢😢😢😢😢🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️❤️❤️❤️

Bobby abused Tommy also! Just so sad. Talk about a generational curse! I hope the Father is rotting in HELL with no relief!

As a Child Sexual Abuse/Physical abuse survivor I’m heartbroken 💔 hearing the story about Debarge. They’re such a Talented /Beautiful family just tryna overcome their demons. Truth of the matter is Childhood Trauma never leaves you. Addiction/Mental health /Mental illness is real.. I’m a Recovering alcoholic an I’m here to say that without God & Therapy it’s no telling where I’d be right now. Let’s start normalizing therapy in our community. We can’t HEAL what we don’t REVEAL.

Their dad was the DEVIL!!! 😡😡😡& that’s why a lot of them turned to drugs to numb that pain & those memories of what that Devil did them…

We need BET to do a 4 part series of the Debarge family.. The right way 👍

I’m crying 😢I cry every time for the DeBarge family…..it just breaks my heart of the TRAUMA they ALL went through!!

Chile..that woman know she is not Janet Jackson or James DeBarge daughter..she looks older than both of them.

Wow, this is so sad. I'm so happy to see El Debarge is still being embraced by us all.

Robert had a dark personality disorder. Toxic people do not admit when they are wrong. I'm soooo sorry because El has never healed from the trauma caused him. It's very sad.

The only thing that can speed up the healing of the DeBarge family is for the mother to say I'm sorry, she blames everybody else for allowing that monster into her life instead of taking her own Responsibility for the protection of her children, only thing she can say is I'M SORRY AND COULD YOU PLEASE FORGIVE ME! those words can heal alot of wounds. The whole family needs to seek mental therapy for the childhood trauma. My Prayers are for them all🙏🏾💕

Shame on anybody that’s does nothing about the abuse or neglect of children… their mother was despicable😢😢😢

I read Tommy’s book, the mom was jealous of Bunny due to that her father was molesting Bunny. She also went to church 7 days a week leaving the kids home with the father. The mother was also warned not to marry Robert by Robert own mother and she used race as a reason why she didn’t want them to marry. Bobby molested Tommy and James however from El on down the father didn’t abuse them, they were abused from the mothers new Spanish bf Pappi and she allowed that to happen as well. There’s a interview with I believe Creflo Dollar on RU-vid where Chico discussed this as well as Tommy book. There’s a lot even down to the manipulation of the grandchildren for welfare checks after the money was gone. Please read Tommy books because he never held back

The kids had no chance. The father abused, and the mother just watched. 😢

That's a shame that man did that to his children. Shame on him.

This family is still suffering even down to the twins. The eldest abused all of them. El and Chico haven't addressed it but I don't blame them. I know some things about the family but I don't want to say it but they're really suffering. The only one is really sane is peaches one of the twins and one of the daughters the father had outside the marriage named deathra. It's really sad and tragic. I pray that they're healed spiritually because some of them are angry with their mother and they're not getting closure.

I am sorry that The Debarge Family had so many horrific tragedies throughout all of heir lives. I send my condolences, love, and prayers to each and every one of them❤️

I love the music they've created, but the PURE HELL they went through growing up is just heartbreaking. I can't imagine being abused by my father in every way possible, and my mother knew about it but didn't do anything to stop it or help me.

Growing up in the '80s, Debarge was all that!!!! It's so heartbreaking that they had the most painful memories while growing up.

She had to say 5 women 12 kids. You can see she’s messy. Love El❤

THEIR FATHER MESSED THOSE KIDS UP 😢

This family has been through it! Well done Sweet Pea!

It's a mothers duty to protect her children... no matter what. Debarges mot FAILED to do this big time. Shame shame shame on her for this. She is the fault of all they've been through

I feel that the mother is a whole liar... That she stuck with that man because she wanted him & she thought that she "lucked up" by marrying him. Him telling her that birth control was a "sin" is the same as most Catholics believe. She continued having kids with him because he stayed leaving her , living with other women & having more kids. Bunny TOLD her about the sexual abuse & she STILL left those kids home with their abuser, claiming it was so she could go to church 😒. She literally gave her kids to that man & even when Bunny got away ...she coerced her to come back into the same situation. The mother was the father's coconspirator

Child molestation is a vicious cycle if people don’t get the proper help!

This story is soooo heartbreaking 💔 Thank you for doing this deep dive. Debarge will always be a piece of me.

Gosh this family was beautiful and talented All of their stories kinda break my heart They all could’ve been soo much more ❤

This was truely awesome and Debarge was one of my favorite family groups. Great job Sweet Pea !!!!

Bobby had an addiction from 15-39. Maybe I am wrong, but it felt like nobody tried to get him therapy, rehab, or help. It felt like he was expected to just get over it and fix himself.

If their mother would've made the decision to leave that demonic husband when he started abusing her only The Lord would have made a way for her and her babies, (after all she had brothers that helped her later) her children would have turned out so much better and maybe never did any drugs to deal with the pain, also and possibly Tommy and Bobby would still be alive, I feel she was a big part of their fall right along with her husband.... How cauld she sit back and allow the HORRIFIC abuse of her children for soo long??? Just wicked OMG! They deserved soo much better that life had to offer

As I watch this, I'm determined to visit the city of Grand Rapids, MI. I am a lifelong fan of the Debarge family. My prayer is that they remain united and break the yolk of drug abuse and addiction.

It is really heartbreaking that she could stay with DeBarge Sr.knowing that the demon she married abused her children,like that especially seeing that their mother had a way out, God Bless the Debarge family.

Addiction is a predictable result of childhood trauma. Like as predictable as Type II diabetes resulting from obesity. We need to start viewing it that way. That evil, depraved father chose a poor Black woman because he knew she would have no recourse when he began abusing her and their children. Abusers are experts at choosing and grooming their victims. That said, Etterlene didn't have to marry him or keep having kids. There are always alternatives to allowing your kids to be tortured.

That family would NOT have suffered like this if their mother didn't marry that devil. And now here they are interviewing them tryna act like THEY are the problem. No... that devil their mom married was the problem. Point blank period.

We have to continuously pray for this family as they struggle through their adversities. It's unfortunate that this talented family has endured so much trauma throughout their lives. God has their back and will help them to make it through.

Whew Chile…I know Janet is tried of this damn rumor. Tiffany isn’t the daughter.

I was Facebook friends with Donta DeBarge and he had moved to Atlanta from Chicago and back to Chicago and to California before he passed 😥

“5 women 12 kids” She didn’t have to even go there Lol 😂

Tommy's book kept it real!...like....too real. RIP

"Dem boys K'sang" So many brilliant Songs were written by this family it's incredible. Through out the years their music has given me so much happiness, and great memories of the "Good Ole Days". My life's playlist has a lot of Debarge in it.

Mother didn't protect her children from SATAN!!!!!

Bobby sexually abusing James is a spirit Bobby contacted. Being sexually abused myself by my oldest cousin, I also was partaking in incest. I thought it was okay because of what happened to me.

Old Grown Men often take advantage of young women and not in a good way! My prayers go out to the DeBarge family! God will get the victory in the end!!!

Thank you I really enjoyed it. So detailed. I love the Debarges. They are often overlooked for their contributions to music. Good job telling their story.

Sad part is their Father, trying to destroy his own children and wife 👀

Bunny Debarge told a story about them being rescued from their abusive father but their mother sneakingly asked her pastor to give their dad her phone number so he could come and get them. Bunny refused to go back but their DEMON mother FORCED her to go back!!😔😔

I noticed Bonnie and Vanity from The Last Dragon has so much in common both were beautiful women both were biracial women both were addicted to hard-core drugs both were abused by their fathers and both were on Motown records and both were saved by Christ in the end I love both of these women ❤️

Great job at telling the DeBarge family story. They really are a talented family in spite of all the abuse they received. God bless them all 🙏🏼❤❤🎤🎶🎶

Thank you for a very comprehensive and well narrated doco on the DeBarges. They have been a lasting fave since the early 80’s and knowing their tragic history just makes me love and appreciate their music even more. Bless you and all your efforts on YT.

That abuse definitely played a huge part in all of their drug abuse ❤❤❤

Ashleysaysso did a great 2 part video on this family too. So sad.

BTW the mother should be ashamed of herself. I love The Most High first, and my children comes after in my world. The men will come and go. That monster destroyed my brothers and sisters, and he will be judged.

He was a monster that was a had his picks of his house slaves. That he abused mentally, physically, and sexually. When the hell he got ready to. I don't understand why they didn't file charges against him when they go it older or something. I am sure that mom went through her own personal hell. But it seemed like at one point in time she should have woken up and put him out of misery. My heart ache for them. Poor Bobby just didn't stand a chance.

The mother is not that innocent as well. She let the abuse happen to all her kids

Awesome job! Well done, Sweet Pea Diaries! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

My mother Denise Matthews introduced me to the DeBarge family she was on Motown records with them

Girl, you did your thang on this one yet again. 👏 Keep em coming. ❤️ SPD

Drugs and physical abuse have ravaged this family. They are caught up in a vortex they cannot seem to escape. El, I luv💕 your music and I miss the Dark Gabel look. 💕

Say no to drugs. Get therapy. Don't live alone. Fill your life with clean fun and Godly people. Eat real while foods. Exercise, stretch, do for others and love yourself.

Dear GOD, PLEASE ALWAYS PROTECT & KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THIS PRECIOUS FAMILY ALWAYS, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, AMEN!

No matter what we think and feel about this family and what they went through.Those children loved their mother to the very end of her life.

You mentioned Royalties and Motown in the same sentence...that is like mentioning Bad Boys and Royalties.

Bobby. BISEXUAL KING. Fine and talented. I wish he didn't have to go through all of that torment and torture that effected him. I wish he didn't have to lose his life, and I wish he could have gotten all of the help he needed to work through his harrowing childhood. Hope that the entire DeBarge family continues healing and overcoming their traumas.

Omgosh, I remember Time will Reveal and Love me in a Special Way, we’re two of my favorite songs in the early 80’s. Every time I hear those songs, it makes me choke up and cry. So much heartbreak I survived with my Debarge cassette tape.

Disgusting!! I was shocked to learn this about them, such talent!!

The dad was a devil terrorizing those kids, however the mother is responsible for leaving the alone with him. I cry because as a parent I wouldn't allow ANYONE to hurt my kids. ALL the Debarges are beautiful inside & out I pray they get rid of the drugs😢

I very much understand leaving things in God's hands, but when it comes to protecting your children , God tells us he blesses effort. Our efforts, definitely bring abuse to a dead hault emmediately.

The father ended up looking like an angry Grandpa Munster. 😱

Don't you KNOW that there are NO ROYALTIES from Berry Gordy/Motown if you signed on the dotted line ...unless you were Smokey, Stevie and the "BOSS" Diana.

This family suffered so much. Like so many other families. We don't live in a perfect world. There's always situations, circumstances, difficulties and struggle's. This is the reason why we need a foundation. God is my strength. Let's keep everyone in Prayer's 🙏 Random kindness is necessary ❤

Yo…Chico was high as a kite in that interview 😂

Mama Debarge reminds me of Miss Robbie.

🌺💖🌺 I'm so sad about what the entire DeBarge family endured. It was really hard for me to watch from beginning to end. I pray that God will deliver each one and give them the strength to continue to seek ✨Him and glorify His Name... 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 #Amen...

Yeah El was most trusted and man did he deliver the goods. Bobby was the most gifted though. Bobby was a genius! I think I'll listen to a few songs after this video!

It’s so sad and heart breaking to hear of this . Mothers everywhere have to be more diligent in protecting there children . Trauma leads to mental illness this is a real sickness that people sweep under the rug . It’s unfortunate they never recieved the proper therapy for the abuses . Glad they were able to turn by there lives around

They could have been bigger than the Jacksons

Alcohol and Drugs are a beast. Sexual and physical abuse on top of that is total destruction that can only be conquered by Prayer and intense therapy. So much trauma. I'm glad they have their music but I'm so sad their past has to be brought up and thrown in their faces all the time.

This family went thru so much, from the beginning of their lives. So much talent, so sad they all went thru so so much.

I’m not being colorist, but that woman would not match that complexion of James and Janet

This video is of such poor quality and what’s with the bleeping is it not loud enough

That woman looked nothing like the product of janet and james!

My thoughts and prayers will always be withe the Debarge family. ❤️

Praying for the Debarge family!

This is so sad My heart is hurting for them I pray that every generational curse over their lives will be broken forever and God will restore them and their family and future

Mama DeBarge know dam well that's not her granddaughter 😆

A couple of the Debarges stay out here in San Fernando Valley CA. . In an RV amongst so many others out here. So sad. I believe another brother just passed away recently. I had tears when I came face to face with 2of the brothers.. 😢

This just breaks my heart it really does some people have it so hard. My God I just pray for this entire family

Tiffany is not Janet and James daughter 😂😂😂😂. She is related from Etterlene ‘s side of the family.

I would never get how some sick mothers in this world allowed they children to get molested. You had beautiful children and they were gifted but they parents destroyed them.

This is gut wrenching. I knew they were hard knock, but damn!

I believe that Janet's older sister raised their daughter. She is the correct age and have you seen her!!!? She looks just like them

El DEBARGE is STILL fine. I’ll definitely give him another child if he wants one LOL 😂 I’ll always be an El fan

Their child molesting father will pay for what he did to his children!

Update: 6/12/21, over 35 years ago, upon two occasions, a neighborhood friend out of the Blue, I don’t know what prompted him to state this, “your relatives aren’t exactly who you think that they are, your grandmother could be an aunt or a cousin”; or instead your granddad could be the uncle or the cousin. I didn’t think that this concerned me at all because I believed what my parents told me that those were their parents and relatives, but they weren’t too happy with the relatives and often complained; me and my siblings complained too, these relatives weren’t treating us right. I found out 15 years ago that there were many unofficial adoptions from the beginning of time up until the 1940s for the United States and still continuing all over the world (I imagine in war torn countries where children were/are orphaned))when there were no paperwork, no attorney nor court, nothing legal. You just take the baby, infant, toddler, small child, and teen home with you and when the ‘census records takers’ comes around you just tell them that its your daughter/son if they will be too young to remember that they were separated from their biological parents; they are not never told about whatever happened to their parents, that they were/are not their children, and that they are not the parents. Not only did relatives take in the orphans but none relatives or friends of the parents and neighbors. Back then heads of households took in strangers when they didn’t have nobody to stay with; and the census records aren’t correct as to the ‘role’ of the infant, baby, toddler and small child to the head of households. In many cases if the infant, baby, toddler and small child is believed to be no kin, then they are mistreated badly, not talked to, nor cared about nor looked out for nor encouraged to do better or stay in school; this is the reasons that you may not be liked, respected, cared about, talked to, looked out for by who you thought was your parents, grandparents, greats, aunts/uncles, first cousins and other kin, because they believe that you are not related/kinfolks. This is why you can’t find ‘Midwives papers’ 1.)because who you were told and grew up believing is your parents and grandparents believe that you are not which isn’t always true because the men folks were stepping outside of their marriages and dropping babies 2.) because the babies, infants, toddlers and small children weren’t old enough to remember that they were separated from their parents for whatever reasons - one to a few out of one hundred reasons. There’s many reasons why babies, infants, toddlers, small children and teens are separated from their biological parents. Collect the Family history anyway, because you possibly could be 2nd to 10th cousins, you would have to get an Ancestry dna test or 23&me to find out for sure. Is. 53:4-6; Ro. 1:9.

I like the sound of your voice you're very measured and well poised in narration...very Professional.

The mother was delusional and so caught up in her “saved” mentality that she refused to accept the truth of what was happening in her own house! She’s one of those who probably believed she could pray the evil or pain away but as a child of abuse myself that’s not how it works. As a mother and protector of your children she should’ve packed up and rolled out the first time that man put his hands on her. She said herself she saw he had an evil side shortly after marrying Robert. She also couldn’t have used the excuse that he kept her pregnant if she’d left. Granted we wouldn’t have been blessed with the melodic sounds of Bobby and the rest of the DeBarge’s but enough is enough! They didn’t deserve a life of pain like that. So sad! God bless them all!

I don’t think Tiffany is their child. She doesn’t resemble either parent imo.