Larry Hiltabidel was the biological father of Jeremiah Raber, a reality TV star who appeared on the shows Breaking Amish and Return to Amish. However, Larry never got to meet his son, as he was murdered by his wife when Jeremiah was less than a year old. This is the tragic story of Larry Hiltabidel and his family.
The Affair that Led to Jeremiah’s Birth
Larry Hiltabidel was born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, to Ronald and Mona Hiltabidel. He had three brothers and three sisters. He married Sheila Hiltabidel, who also had a sister named Sherry. According to Soap Dirt, Larry had an affair with his sister-in-law Sherry, and she got pregnant with his child. Sherry gave birth to Jeremiah Raber on January 17, 1980, in Holmes County, Ohio. However, she did not raise him, as he was adopted by an Amish couple, Aaron and Mystic Raber, when he was nine months old. Jeremiah grew up in the Amish community, unaware of his biological parents and siblings.
The Murder that Shook the Family
On December 21, 1981, Larry Hiltabidel was stabbed to death by his wife Sheila at their home in Barberton, Ohio. He was only 24 years old. Sheila was 29 at the time of the attack. The motive for the murder was never officially confirmed, but it is widely believed that Sheila found out about Larry’s affair with Sherry and their son Jeremiah, and that drove her to kill him in a fit of rage. Sheila was arrested and charged with murder, but she pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. She was found incompetent to stand trial and was committed to a mental institution. She died in 2016.
The Reunion that Turned Sour
Jeremiah Raber did not meet his biological mother Sherry until he was an adult. He revealed the incident in an episode of Return to Amish in 2018. He said that he was contacted by his half-sister, who told him about his birth family. He was excited to meet them, but he soon regretted his decision. He said that his biological mother and siblings lied to him and manipulated him. They also cut off all contact with him after he confronted them about the truth. Sherry even posted a video on social media, where she said that Jeremiah was not her son and that she did not want him in her life. She said that she had her own kids who loved her. Jeremiah was hurt and angry by their rejection. He also blamed himself for his father’s death, thinking that his existence was the reason for the murder.
The Legacy that Lives On
Despite the pain and trauma that he endured, Jeremiah Raber did not give up on his life. He became a successful TV personality, appearing on the shows Breaking Amish and Return to Amish. He also has his own YouTube channel, where he posts videos about his personal and professional life. He is married to Carmela Mendez, whom he wed in 2016. He has three children from his previous relationship with Naomi Stutzman, another co-star from Breaking Amish. He also adopted Carmela’s two children from her previous marriage. Jeremiah Raber has overcome many challenges and obstacles in his life. He is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. He is also the living legacy of his biological father, Larry Hiltabidel, who never got to see his son grow up.