Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have expressed their deep sorrow following the recent arrest of their son Joseph. He faces serious allegations of molesting a nine-year-old girl in an incident dating back to 2020.
In light of these events, Jim Bob, aged 60, and Michelle, 59, released a statement through a spokesperson. This development reached a critical point when Joseph was taken into custody on March 18, accused of involvement in the 2020 incident concerning the young girl.
Adding to the family’s turmoil, Joseph’s wife, Kendra, 27, found herself arrested on March 20. The Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas charged her with second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment.
A spokesperson for the Duggars conveyed to US Weekly that Jim Bob and Michelle are currently concentrating on supporting their family, especially Kendra and her children, during this challenging period.
The couple’s representative also mentioned that Jim Bob and Michelle are keeping the victim in their prayers. They are requesting privacy while expressing gratitude for the supportive messages and prayers they have received from the public.
Authorities from Florida’s Bay County Sheriff’s Office have detailed that Joseph’s arrest is linked to charges of lewd and lascivious molestation involving a child under the age of 12.
Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar ‘are praying for the victim’ in the 2020 incident that led to their son Joseph’s arrest earlier this month, a spokesperson for the reality stars said Monday
Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested in connection with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old in connection with a 2020 incident involving a nine-year-old girl
The incident involving Joe occurred in 2020 in Panama City Beach, Florida during a vacation, according to authorities.
‘As the vacation continued, he also asked [the victim] to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket,’ officials said. ‘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.’
He was also charged with lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older, officials said.
Joseph and Kendra wed in 2017 and are parents to four young children – ages seven, six, five and three.
Joseph’s arrest is not the first time one of Jim Bob and Michelle’s sons have been caught up in a legal situation involving underage sex.
Oldest son Josh’s past molestation of five young girls led to the swift cancellation of the family’s TLC series in 2015.
The show, which began airing in 2008, was centered on Michelle and Jim Bob, the devout Arkansas couple who named all 19 of their children with the first letter J.
Joe’s wife Kendra, 27, was arrested March 20 in connection with endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment, both in the second degree
Josh Duggar is currently serving a prison sentence in connection with his 2021 conviction for receiving and possessing material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Jim Bob and wife Michelle posted a statement on Facebook at the time explaining how they dealt with the initial incident.
‘Back 12 years ago our family went through one of the most difficult times of our lives,’ they said in a May 21, 2015 Facebook post. ‘When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes and we were shocked.
‘We had tried to teach him right from wrong. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before.’
Jim Bob and Michelle continued, ‘We pray that as people watch our lives they see that we are not a perfect family. We have challenges and struggles everyday. ‘
Josh, 38, is currently serving a prison sentence in connection with his 2021 conviction for receiving and possessing material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
For those who have been impacted by sexual abuse, text ‘STRENGTH’ to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
