What often happens in powerful families is that the father is very neglectful of his children. He just assumes that, if there are no very obvious problems, that their children are fine.
Jerry Falwell Sr. may have been a great preacher and great pastor, but it would appear that he wasn’t the best of fathers.
That may be more likely. It still doesn’t mitigate the fact that the headline is misleading.
Makes sense. It could be that he didn't have the time for his family.