“Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time,” a spokesperson for the family says
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(740x274:742x276):format(webp)/Joseph-Duggar-Michelle-Duggar-Jim-Bob-Duggar-TODAY-033026-afe88f2dafe049e6b110df7f582c7ca7.jpg)
Joseph Duggar; right: Michelle Duggar and Jim Bob Duggar.Credit : TLC; Peter Kramer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are speaking out after the arrest of their son Joseph.
Joseph, 31, was arrested on March 18 and charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older, per Florida’s Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
He allegedly confessed to repeatedly molesting a 9-year-old girl in a phone call with the child’s father and a detective with the local police department, according to an affidavit filed by authorities.
He is also facing additional criminal charges in Arkansas, and a source close to the investigation told PEOPLE the latest charges are unrelated to those in Florida.
A spokesperson for the family tells PEOPLE on Monday, March 30, that Joseph’s parents Jim Bob, 60, and Michelle, 59, are “heartbroken over this entire situation.”
“Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time,” the spokesperson says, referring to Joseph’s wife, Kendra, with whom he has four kids. “They are praying for the victim. They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(499x0:501x2):format(webp)/Joseph-Duggar-mugshot-031826-9566df9dce63463086e311816b99aac1.jpg)
Joseph Duggar’s mugshot.
Washington County Sheriff’s Department
Kendra was also arrested and charged in Arkansas. A spokesperson for their family previously told PEOPLE the charges filed against Kendra, 27, are “totally unrelated” to the felony charges her husband is expected to face in Florida.
“She’s not suspected or accused of participating in his alleged crime,” the spokesperson said.
She and Joseph both face four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and four counts of false imprisonment in the second degree, in relation to the Arkansas charges, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said Joseph is no longer in their custody as of March 27. He is not yet listed as being in the custody of the BCSO, as of Monday, March 30.
Kendra is out on bail following her charges. Both she and Joseph are scheduled to appear in an Arkansas courtroom April 29.
Joseph appeared on all four iterations of his family’s TLC reality series franchise beginning when he was 13 on 19 Kids and Counting. He has been married to Kendra since 2017.
A federal jury previously convicted Joseph’s older brother Josh Duggar, 38, of receiving and possessing material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Josh was sentenced to over 12 years in prison.
News
Oakland Tragedy: The identities of three people k!lled after a car pl0wed into a cr0wd of pedestrians in East Oakland have been released
OAKLAND, Calif. – Three pedestrians were killed and several others were hurt when a car rammed into them late Saturday night in East Oakland. What we know: The crash happened at about 11:15 p.m. in the area of International Boulevard and 85th Avenue. A witness said the incident began with a collision between a blue vehicle and […]
East Oakland Horror: Authorities have named the three victims k!lled when a car cr@shed into a cr0wd of people walking nearby
OAKLAND, Calif. – Three pedestrians were killed and several others were hurt when a car rammed into them late Saturday night in East Oakland. What we know: The crash happened at about 11:15 p.m. in the area of International Boulevard and 85th Avenue. A witness said the incident began with a collision between a blue vehicle and […]
Desperate Plea: Kouri Richins’ lover begged for one thing during her sentencing hearing, but everyone in the courtroom reportedly sh00k their heads
Kouri Richins prepares to speak at her sentencing Wednesday at 3rd District Court in Park City, Utah. Trent Nelson/Pool/The Salt Lake Tribune/AP Before a judge sentenced Kouri Richins for fatally poisoning her husband, the couple’s three young sons made their feelings clear. They urged Judge Richard Mrazik to sentence their mother – who two of […]
The family of the University of Washington student could no longer stay silent, bringing the final 10-minute audio of their child into the suspect’s trial
SEATTLE – The man suspected of fatally stabbing a University of Washington student may have been involved in a 2013 lawsuit against a Seattle private school over allegations of bullying. Seattle police said Christopher Leahy, 31, turned himself in to Bellevue police at about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday. He was interviewed by homicide detectives before being […]
First Court Appearance: The suspect in the University of Washington student case appeared before a judge for the first time as his lawyer revealed evidence claiming he is innocent
SEATTLE – The man suspected of fatally stabbing a University of Washington student may have been involved in a 2013 lawsuit against a Seattle private school over allegations of bullying. Seattle police said Christopher Leahy, 31, turned himself in to Bellevue police at about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday. He was interviewed by homicide detectives before being […]
New Evidence: As Kouri Richins moves forward with her appeal, her best friend has stepped in with another piece of alleged proof
(NewsNation) — In an emotional final statement before being sentenced to life in prison, Utah mom and children’s book author Kouri Richins spoke directly to her three sons, apologizing and urging them to “choose forgiveness and love.” Flanked by her attorneys, Richins spoke publicly Wednesday for the first time since her trial began. “I did not abandon you,” […]
End of content
No more pages to load
