Kim Plath’s DUI arrest and Ethan’s split from Olivia – Welcome to Plathville scandals as new season reignites cast feuds

THE WELCOME to Plathville cast has been involved in several scandals since the family hit TLC airwaves in 2019.

From Kim Plath’s DUI arrest to Ethan and Olivia Plath’s heartbreaking divorce, the reality TV family has suffered numerous lows since sharing their lives with the public.

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Wakulla County Jail

Ethan Plath/Instagram

Welcome to Plathville follows the Plath family who adhere to strict religious teachings, have limited access to technology and avoid consuming sugar.

Barry and Kim Plath , who were married at the start of the reality TV series, are parents to Ethan , 26, Hosanna, 24, Micah, 23, Moriah, 21, Lydia, 20, Isaac, 18, Amber, 15, Cassia, 13, and Mercy, 11.

The TLC series’ sixth season is set to premiere on Tuesday, July 16.

In the trailer, Barry claimed he’s “changed” through the process of his divorce from Kim while Kim was adamant that “Barry hasn’t loosened up” as much as she has.

Olivia was shown returning to the dating scene post-divorce from Ethan and realizing that it was much different than she expected.

Ethan revealed feeling intimated to get back out there and “approach a beautiful woman” and appeared hurt by Olivia’s ability to “move on so easily after seven years” together.

Micah has moved to Florida and started a new relationship but is “hesitant” to put it out in the open because of what he’s seen happen in his family.

Before viewers witness all the new drama ready to unfold this season, here are the past controversies the family has endured.

KIM’S DUI

In 2022, family matriarch Kim , 51, was arrested for a DUI and property damage in Florida.

The U.S. Sun confirmed the TV personality was arrested on October 20 at 2:08am for driving under the influence, property damage and personal injury.

The Wakulla County Corrections mugshot showed Kim frowning with tears in her eyes.

On January 30, 2023, The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed that the Welcome to Plathville star demanded her blood test results not be permitted into evidence one day before her pre-trial conference.

According to the court filing, the results showed her blood alcohol level to be .161 and .162, which is over the .08 legal limit.

The court papers read, “Trooper Moschetto stated Ms. Plath was conscious and appeared to be in a daze, had red glassy eyes, dilated pupils, and had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from her breath.”

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She was asked to take a voluntary blood test, but “did not respond.”

However after implied consent was read, Kim “signed consent” and “submitted to a blood draw.”

The police report claimed authorities found her car upside down in a ditch filled with water.

She was taken to a hospital for her injuries.

Kim was put on probation and ordered to complete 50 hours of community service.

ETHAN AND OLIVIA’S SPLIT

Instagram

In October 2023, Ethan and Olivia Plath, both 26, announced they’d split after five years of marriage.

Olivia announced the separation on Instagram .

“Ethan and I have decided to go our separate ways,” the TLC star shared in a written statement.

“I have ambivalent memories of us being 18 years old, innocently dreaming of forever.”

She then hinted that their relationship was forged when she was younger and more naive.

“But the partner you choose is a reflection of the world you want to live in, and at 18 I didn’t know who I was or what kind of life I wanted to create for myself.”

Olivia admitted that after more than seven years into their relationship she began to have doubts.

“I’ve already begun my journey of questioning, deconstructing and rebuilding and know that is a process I will continue to prioritize throughout my life.”

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TLC

Without revealing what exactly led her to call it quits, she admitted there were good times, and Olivia said she wants to “remember and honor” those.

“We fell in love as children and are going our separate ways as adults. Wiser, older, and braver. We will be OK.”

She wrapped up her note by personally addressing her ex-husband, writing, “Thank you for the good times Ethan. I wish the best for you.”

ETHAN’S EXPLANATION

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Ethan provided an explanation for the breakdown of the pair’s relationship in a written statement.

“Olivia and I have parted ways. It just didn’t work between us, though Lord knows we both gave it all we had,” he confessed.

Ethan did give a little more insight into their crumbling relationship as he wrote, “It seemed we were constantly pulling each other in opposite directions in life with different goals.”

He, too, concluded his note with a personal address.

“I wish Olivia the best in the future ahead. I care for her deeply and always will.”

According to In Touch , the divorce paperwork was filed jointly in Carver County, Minnesota, on February 21.

It was also revealed that the pair listed their official date of separation as February 25, 2023.

They claimed the reason for their divorce was an “irretrievable breakdown” of their relationship.

GUILTY AS CHARGED

Instagram/ethan.plath

Ethan had his own run-in with the law in November 2023 when he pleaded guilty to failing to pay parking tickets in Minnesota, The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed.

He and his ex, Olivia , moved from Florida to Minnesota in March 2023, and not soon after the big move, Ethan found himself in trouble with the authorities.

According to court documents obtained exclusively by The U.S. Sun, on March 29, 2023, Ethan was charged with “failure to pay for parking” by the Minneapolis Park Police Department.

On June 8, 2023, Ethan pleaded guilty and was “convicted of a petty misdemeanor” by the State of Minnesota.

Ethan paid four separate charges for the misdemeanor which totaled $144 and settled up in full by July 5, 2023.

The U.S. Sun reached out to Ethan for comment at the time.

CALLING IT QUITS

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With ten kids and 24 years of marriage under their belt, Kim and Barry seemed like an unbreakable couple, but in July 2022 the Welcome To Plathville stars announced they were separating.

Kim and Barry revealed they had split on June 28, 2022, telling fans it was the “best choice for both of us.”

They told People , “After considerable thought and discussion, we have decided to end our marriage.”

“While this was not an easy decision, we know it’s the best choice for both of us.”

The former couple added, “We have been through many highs and lows in our 24 years of marriage and as we navigate this new chapter in our lives, we will co-parent our amazing children.”

Their rocky relationship was often featured as the main storyline of their popular reality TV show .

The pair’s separation was also documented in Welcome To Plathville, where Barry explained his heartbreak.

He admitted, “I can’t help but feel a little betrayed. One thing I thought wouldn’t ever be shaken was us.

“Now it’s totally shaken up. It’s just really sad. It’s a tragedy.

“I look at her and I see a woman who feels trapped.

“I have bought flowers and bought presents, but I’m still an optimist hoping that she’ll change.”

But Kim told the cameras she feels “like I’ve been hurt too much,” before asking her former partner, “Do you want me to stay knowing that I’m not happy?”

MORIAH’S TRUTH

Earlier in June 2022, their daughter Moriah revealed she knew her mother and father were heading for divorce before the show started airing its fourth season.

She told People, “I’ve known for months before anything actually happened, months before they actually decided to separate.

MEET THE PLATHS

The TLC series Welcome to Plathville follows Barry and Kim Plath and their nine children. Barry and Kim split in 2022 but are each still apart of their kids lives.

• Barry Plath is a transportation planner with a private firm.
• Kim Plath is a naturopathic doctor.
• Ethan Plath is a mechanic and was married to Olivia Plath.
• Hosanna Plath married her husband Timothy Noble in June 2019. The pair live in Ohio and perform as a musical duo. She chose not to appear on Welcome to Plathville.
• Micah Plath, born in March 2001, works as a model.
• Moriah Plath, born in August 2002, is viewed as the black sheep of her highly religious family.
• Lydia Plah was born in 2004.
• Isaac Plath, born in October 2005, is the youngest of Barry and Kim’s sons.
• The three youngest members of the family are Kim and Barry’s daughters, Amber, Cassia, and Mercy.

“I knew that they were struggling. At the end of the day, I just want her and my dad to be happy.”

Moriah added, “It’s really hard because they both want different things, so it’s hard watching.

“I want my dad to be happy, but this is tearing him apart, but my mom’s not going to be happy with my dad.”

She concluded: “So it’s just — I don’t know, people change. Things fall apart sometimes.

“You just got to be able to be there for yourself at the end of the day.”

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TLC