Wynonna Judd‘s daughter, Grace Kelley, is making serious allegations involving childhood abuse, betrayal and a claim that her famous mother looked the other way.
In a chat with The Daily Progress, Kelley alleges her former stepfather, D.R. Roach, sexually abused her when she was just 10 years old — and that her mother not only failed to protect her, but helped cover it up.
Now 29, Kelley is speaking publicly about a painful chapter that she says shaped the course of her life and continues to haunt her today.
‘She Was Never a Mother’
Kelley claims the abuse began when Roach, Judd’s now-ex-husband, was still part of the family.
Judd filed for divorce days after his September 2007 arrest on charges of sexual battery of a minor — but Kelley says the truth had come out earlier, during family counseling.
“When they determined in counseling what he had done to me, they’re like, ‘Wait a minute. We’re going to report this to law enforcement,’” Kelley recalls.
She accuses the country star of putting her public image before her role as a mother.
“I don’t want to talk bad about my mom, but we’ll just say she’s a good performer,” Kelley adds. “She was never a mother.”
Roach later pleaded guilty to criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery and is still listed on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry.
Kelley has faced a series of legal issues in recent years, including multiple arrests in 2024 and a six-week jail sentence.
Real More: Wynonna Judd Explains Why She and Sister Ashley Aren’t as Close as She’d Like
But she says she’s now sober, has embraced religion, and is rebuilding her life in Charlottesville, Va.
Meanwhile, the “No One Else on Earth” singer is raising Kelley’s 3-year-old daughter, Kaliyah.
What Wynonna Said — and What’s Still Unsaid
Judd has previously spoken publicly about her ex-husband’s arrest. In a 2010 interview with Oprah Winfrey, she said she went into “mama bear mode” when the allegations surfaced.
Since 2012, Judd has been married to drummer Cactus Moser and has largely focused on her music career and family life.
But Kelley’s recent claims add a new layer to a painful family history and raise fresh questions about the past and the emotional distance still lingering within one of country music’s most closely followed families.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
The Judds Best Songs – Top 10 Hits From Wynonna and Naomi Judd
The Judds have 14 No. 1 songs and dominated Duo and Group of the Year awards at both the CMA and ACM Awards during the 1980s. They also recorded several dozen great songs that never made radio. Here are their Top 10 songs ever.
