Duggar Family Reacts to Joseph's Arrest & Child Molestation Charges

Former Counting On stars Joseph Duggar and his wife, Kendra Duggar, were both recently arrested and face serious charges—and several members of the Duggar family have released statements about the child molestation, child endangerment, and false imprisonment allegations against them.

On March 18, Joseph, 31, was arrested by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior—molestation of a victim less than 12 years old, and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older, the BCSO announced in a news release shared via Facebook.

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The alleged incidents involved a 9-year-old girl during a 2020 family vacation in Florida.

“The victim reported Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap. As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket, the news release detailed. “During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs. The victim stated Duggar eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology.”

On March 20, Joseph’s wife, Kendra, 27, was arrested and charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment, according to a news release from the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas. Joseph also faces the same charges.

A source with knowledge of the case told Us Weekly, “Kendra’s arrest has nothing to do with Joseph’s—although one precipitated another. After his charge, they automatically do a home study if minors live there. They came to her house.”

The source added, “Apparently, they had two rooms where the lock of the doorknob was on the outside instead of inside. They arrested her and took her kids for that, saying it’s evidence that she wrongly detains her kids.”

Related: All 9 Duggar Sisters Reunite With Mom Michelle & Fans Are Saying the Same Thing

Jill Duggar Was the First to Issue a Statement About Joseph’s Arrest

On March 19, Jill Duggar and her husband, Derick Dillard, reacted to Joseph’s arrest with a statement on their blog.

“We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother (Joseph Duggar’s) arrest,” they wrote. “We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph’s arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020. We are shocked and heartbroken.”

The message continued, “We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved. Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family. We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.”

To conclude their statement, the former Counting On couple shared, “We love our sister-in-law, Kendra, and our four nieces and nephews and pray that they feel loved and supported during this time as we cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything.”

Jessa Duggar Also Reacted Publicly to the Charges Against Joseph

On March 20, Jessa Duggar issued a statement with her husband, Ben Seewald, regarding Joseph’s arrest.

Related: Jinger Duggar Addresses “Mystery Grandkids” in Her Family

“We learned of this saddening news along with the rest of the world on Wednesday, and we are in complete shock,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories but later deleted. “Our hearts are grieving for this innocent young girl, and we know this is deeply grievous to God, who cares tenderly for children and the vulnerable. We are keeping her in our prayers.”

Amy Duggar Slammed Joseph After His Arrest

Amy Duggar, the niece of Jim Bob Duggar and cousin to Joseph, issued a statement shared on Instagram.

“My first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe, protected and surrounded by people she could trust,” she shared. “The courage it took for her to come forward, especially after years of carrying something so heavy, cannot be overstated. That bravery deserves to be honored above all else.”

Although Amy said she was “utterly shocked to hear about these allegations and Joseph’s arrest,” she acknowledged that “at the same time, I am not surprised that another alleged predator has emerged from this toxic system.”

She continued, “For years, I have spoken out about the importance of truth, accountability and protecting children, even when it meant going against my own family. Family ties should never equal automatic trust or access, especially when it comes to the safety of children. When an image is protected over truth, and silence is chosen over accountability, it creates an environment where abuse can thrive.”

Additionally, Amy said she has “worked hard to break cycles” in her family through her book, Holy Disruptor: Shattering the Shiny Facade by Getting Louder with the Truth. She noted that she is “praying for the victim and her family as they walk through what is sure to be an incredibly difficult road ahead.”

To conclude her statement, Amy shared, “Recognizing that we do not yet know the full picture, I am also praying for Joseph’s wife, Kendra, as she begins to process this, and for the protection of their children. I’m praying for eyes to be opened and above all, I pray that justice will be served to the fullest.”

Josh Duggar Sent a Message From Prison

On March 20, Josh Duggarreleased a statement through his attorney while serving a 12-year prison sentence following a child sexual abuse material (CSAM) conviction.

Josh said that the allegations against Joseph “deeply saddened” him, telling the Daily Mail, “Josh understands the stigma of being accused.”

The statement continued, “He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.”

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available 24 hours a day through RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Next: Duggar Family Scandals Explained After Another 19 Kids and Counting Arrest