Multiple members of the Duggar family have reacted to Joseph Duggar’s arrest on child molestation charges.
Joseph, who rose to fame alongside his family on the reality series 19 Kids and Counting, was taken into custody after being accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl while on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2020. He was arrested by the Tonitown Police Department in Arkansas on March 18, 2026, after the Bay County Sheriff’s Department obtained a warrant.
“The victim reported Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap,” the Bay County Sheriff’s Office revealed in a press release at the time. “As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket.”
The statement continued, “During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs.”
Joseph was ultimately charged with one count of lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and a second count of lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.
Joseph appeared in court on March 20 and waived his right to an extradition hearing and ultimately agreed to be transferred to Florida to face the charges.
Many members of the Duggar family spoke out about Joseph’s arrest, including his siblings Jill and Josh. (Josh is currently in prison after being convicted for possession of child pornography.)
Keep scrolling to see what the Duggars have said about Joseph:
Jill Duggar
Jill Duggar released a statement on her family blog about Joseph Duggar’s arrest.
“We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother (Joseph Duggar’s) arrest,” the post began. “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.”
Jill added that she and husband Derick Dillard are “shocked and heartbroken” over the allegations.
“We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved,” she continued. “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.”
Josh Duggar
Josh Duggar spoke out while behind bars about his brother’s arrest, sharing he was “deeply saddened” about the allegations against Joseph Duggar.
“Josh understands the stigma of being accused. He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life,” Josh’s lawyer said in a statement to The Daily Mail on the reality star’s behalf. “He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.”
The statement added that while “Josh and Joe are not in frequent communication” Josh “hopes and prays for his brother’s well being in this difficult time.”
Amy Duggar King
Joseph Duggar’s cousin, Amy Duggar King, broke her silence on his arrest.
“In light of the recent allegations involving my cousin, Joseph Duggar, I am sickened, heartbroken, and deeply angry,” Amy said in a statement to Us Weekly. “My first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe, protected, and surrounded by people she could trust. 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.”
Amy added that she was “utterly shocked” by the allegations against Joseph but also addressed the family’s “toxic system.”
“For years, I have spoken out about the importance of truth, accountability, and protecting children, even when it meant going against my own family,” she continued. “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.”
Amy shared that she has “worked hard to break cycles” in her family and has advocated “for the protection of children.”
“I am praying for the victim and her family as they walk through what is sure to be an incredibly difficult road ahead,” she 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.”
