'19 Kids and Counting' News: Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard Take A Break from El Salvador, Spotted in NYC

Derick and Jill Duggar-Dillard and their son, Israel
Derick and Jill Duggar-Dillard and their son, Israel |

After spending the past month in El Salvador for their missionary work, Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard recently took a break from Central America and headed on to New York City. However, the Christian couple has not been on vacation as Jill reportedly paid the city a visit to film footage for TLC's documentary about victims of sexual abuse.

E! News reports that the commercial-free TV special titled "Breaking the Silence' is scheduled to be aired on Aug. 30.

Commenters on the Freejinger website have been weighing in on the Dillards' recent visit to the populous city, with one user stating: "My friend and I live in NYC, and my friend was just in Times Square tonight after work. She called me saying she was right in front of Benessa, AND Jill and Derick! Aren't they supposed to be doing some good Christian mission work!"

Another individual shared an Instagram photo of Jill along with sister Jessa, mother Michelle and baby Israel spending some family time at a Starbucks in Times Square.

According to Huffington Post editor Carolina J. Moreno, she also spotted the Duggar family members hanging out at the M&M's World candy store.

TLC has partnered up with several organizations for the sexual abuse documentary, including Darkness to Light. An official statement from the nonprofit's website confirms that Jill and Jessa's segment of the TV special was filmed in NYC.

However, the sisters will not be doing interviews in the documentary; they will merely be shown as they head to the "Stewards for Children" event to attend a seminar featuring abuse survivor David Moody.

"A compelling part of the documentary will be a look inside a training session held in New York City earlier in August that included Jill and Jessa Duggar," the press release stated. "Through viewing the Docutraining® that features survivors, community members, and experts as well as participating in a facilitator-led discussion, attendees are able to see how they can better protect the children in their lives through practicing the five steps of prevention."

After Josh Duggar's molestation issue had gone public, both Jill and Jessa, who were recognized as their brother's victims as well, stepped forward and defended Josh's actions, saying that he was merely "a little too curious about girls."

Both Jill and Jessa will appear in "Breaking the Silence' on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.