Conjoined Twin Abby Hensel's Spouse Joshua Bowling Exonerated in Paternity Lawsuit: Update
In a recent development, Joshua Bowling, the spouse of conjoined twin Abby Hensel, has been exonerated in a paternity lawsuit concerning his ex-wife's 3-year-old daughter. Learn more about the latest updates in this case.
Conjoined Twin Abby Hensel’s Husband Josh Bowling Hit With Paternity Suit Following 2021 Wedding
Abby Hensel, Brittany Hensel and Josh Bowling. Heidi Bowling/Facebook
Joshua Bowling, the husband of conjoined twin Abby Hensel, has been cleared in a paternity case involving his ex-wife’s 3-year-old daughter.
Bowling, 34, tied the knot with Hensel in 2021, following his divorce from ex-wife Annica. According to court records from the New York Post, Bowling and Annica, who got married in 2010, currently have joint custody of their 8-year-old daughter.
Shortly after Annica and Bowling separated, she had a daughter. There has been a dispute over who the father is ever since Annica filed the lawsuit in 2023.
A paternity test revealed that the father is Gavin Vatnsdal, as confirmed by his lawyer. Vatnsdal's attorney, Gregory Seamon, stated in court on April 19th, "It has been confirmed that the child is not Mr. Bowling's, but rather my client's."
Judge Siv Mjanger agreed that Mr. Vatnsdal should be recognized as the adjudicated father and Mr. Bowling should be removed from the birth certificate. "I can grant that motion," she stated.
Abby and Brittany, who are both 34 years old, have been in the public eye since their first TV appearance in 1996. They went on to star in their own reality show, Abby & Brittany, on TLC in 2012. The twins currently work as fifth-grade teachers in Minnesota, their home state.
The sisters are dicephalus conjoined twins, which means they share a single body with one genital system, two arms, two hearts, and two legs. They also share a bloodstream and organs below the waist. Abby controls the right arm and leg, while Brittany controls the left. Surgery was an option to separate them, but their parents decided against it due to the risk of one child not surviving.
Joshua, a nurse and Army veteran, tied the knot with Abby in a secret ceremony in 2021. The news of their wedding didn't become public until this March when the twins posted photos of the ceremony on TikTok.
When the news spread, the twins posted a video addressing their critics. They captioned the clip with, "The internet is buzzing today," and included photos of historical sculptures depicting conjoined twins. They added hashtags like #abbyandbrittanyhensel, #happy, #love, #lovestory, and #marriage to express their feelings.
They then released a video focusing on a photo of the two of them with Bowling. The caption read, "This is for all the haters. If you dislike my work but still keep up with everything I do, you're still a fan."
Editor's P/S:
The paternity case involving Abby Hensel's husband, Joshua Bowling, has been resolved, confirming Gavin Vatnsdal as the father of Annica's 3-year-old daughter. This development has shed light on the complexities and challenges faced by families with conjoined twins like Abby and Brittany, who have shared a unique bond throughout their lives.
While the twins' personal lives, including their relationships and marriage, have garnered public attention, it's crucial to remember their remarkable journey as individuals and educators. Abby and Brittany have defied expectations by pursuing their passions, advocating for disability awareness, and inspiring others with their resilience. Their story serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of embracing diversity and acceptance.
