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Bob Irwin’s family rallied behind him following allegations of mental abuse made by his granddaughter Bindi.
Bob, who is Bindis’ 82-year-old grandfather and Steve’s father, was accused Sunday of neglecting the Irwins.
Watch full details of the allegations in the video above
In a Facebook post, Bindi, 22, claimed he returned her gifts, ignored her messages and left her in tremendous pain.
Bob’s immediate family, however, now refute the message.
The Irwin family in 2007, including grandfather Bob on the far right. Credit: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images
Granddaughter Toni Johnstone said the allegations were far from the truth.
Poppy is the most caring, loving, and beautiful soul and I’m incredibly lucky to have her as a grandfather, she said.
It puzzles me that Bindi could have written such horrible things about him and thought that anyone would believe them.
Daughter Mandy Johnstone agreed, saying: This whole situation sucks.
Bethany Wheeler and her grandfather Bob Irwin on her wedding day. Credit: Facebook
Dad is the most amazing father, grandfather and great-grandfather, she said.
He’s taught me so much in life in general and how to respect all creatures, big and small.
He always said to be careful with humans, they are the ones who can be mean.
Granddaughter Bethany Wheeler weighed in, saying she felt ill after reading the post.
The Irwin family, with Bob Sr on the far right, pose for a photo in 2007. Credit: Marc Grimwade / WireImage
Poppy is the most authentically beautiful human on this planet and has NEVER spoken or belittled anyone !! she wrote on Facebook.
He is a man who sits in silence and fights his demons alone, in great sadness.
He does not retaliate, only prays for the safety and the lives of his grandchildren.
My sisters and brothers will gladly support me when I say that Bob Irwin is a passive and handsome human and that these lies must stop.
In a later article, Wheeler said that Bindi Irwin used her power to follow and name to make some very bold and damaging statements.
Unjustified distress
It is not okay to accuse people of such things, no matter how you feel, she said.
Bindi caused incredible undue distress to an elderly man who gave him the key to his kingdom.
It is such a shame, because I myself have been proud of his accomplishments throughout his life.
But what I will not stand … is the slander (which) happened to our grandfather.
The comments come after Bindi shared a cryptic Instagram post, following his allegations, saying: I don’t think people realize how much strength it takes to mentally pull yourself out of a dark place.
Bindis’ original claims were under a shared photo shed for Father’s Day, which was celebrated overseas on Sunday.
She had shared a photo of her father, her husband Chandler and her father Chris. When a fan asked where her grandfather was, she responded in a lengthy statement, saying he had shown no interest in their family.
He returned the gifts I sent him after opening them, he ignored my correspondence and since I was a little girl he ignored me, preferring to spend time doing other things rather than being with me , wrote Bindi.
He never said a single kind word to me personally.
It breaks my heart, but it is not healthy to be in an abusive relationship.
She revealed that her mother Terri still writes to her and sends her Christmas presents.
However, says Bindi, she receives no response.
Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin pose for a photo. Credit: DAN PELED / AAPIMAGE
I hope everyone remembers being kind to each other, but most of all taking care of their own sanity, she added.
I have struggled with this relationship my whole life and it pains me tremendously.
Previously, reports had circulated that Bob Irwin wanted to reconnect with the family and his new great-granddaughter.
Author Amanda French, who co-wrote Bobs 2016 autobiography The Last Crocodile Hunter, told 7NEWS.com.au he was devastated reading the headlines alleging mental abuse on Sunday.
Bindi Irwin says her grandfather doesn’t want anything to do with her. Credit: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images
Responding to Bindi, she said he was only nice.
Unbeknownst to you, and what you know, he is in deep pain over the loss of his family … He has done everything he can do and is burying his head in the sand because it’s like what he’s doing, she said.
He’s not someone who wants to reach out and communicate, he’s like your dad. An introvert and not someone who can navigate people well.
He loves your dad, and you guys more than you think. It should be a private, unwritten matter on Facebook.
Bob Irwin, father of legendary Australian crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, and co-author Amanda French in 2016. Credit: DAN HIMBRECHTS / AAPIMAGE
She said his condition was not strong enough for him to comment and he had been hospitalized several times over the past year.
Almost exactly three years ago, Bob announced that he would be retiring from public life.
His charity Bob Irwin Wildlife and Conservation Foundation stopped accepting donations as he began to feel his age.
Bob’s last public photo with one of the other Irwins was in 2007.
French said Bob and Bindi had not had contact since.
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