19 Kids and Counting alum Jason Duggar is condemning his brother Joseph Duggar’s alleged actions after Joseph was accused earlier this month of molesting a child in 2020.
“We, like many, have spent the week completely shocked, confused, and grieved to list a few emotions,” Jason, 25, and his wife, Maddie Grace Duggar, wrote in a joint statement shared via Instagram on Thursday, March 26. “We are disgusted to hear the news about my brother, however, this isn’t about how it’s impacted our lives.”
The couple noted that Joseph’s case should be about his alleged victim, who was 9 years old when she claimed she was sexually assaulted — and her recovery.
“Our hearts are burdened because a child’s life has been turned upside down due to evil actions of someone who should have never hurt the vulnerable. This is something unthinkable,” Jason and Maddie, who tied the knot in October 2024, wrote.
The pair revealed, “We are angered by what has happened, and we pray [that] God’s righteous hand and the court system will serve justice in the situation as deserved.”
Jason pointed out that “Maddie and I have always had a special place in our hearts for the vulnerable around us, and we will continue to do so. To fathom that someone would abuse their authority to harass the innocent is vile.”
“We ask that you pray for the victim who has been brave enough to share what has happened. We also ask that you pray for his family at this time, as his children must face the reality of losing a father that should have been a spiritual leader in their lives,” they continued, referring to Joseph’s four children, whom he shares with wife Kendra Duggar. “We stand with innocent children. Always.”
Jason and Maddie’s statement was released one week after his brother Joseph, 31, was arrested on March 18 for allegedly molesting a girl during a Florida vacation.
The alleged victim, now 14, claimed in a police statement that Joseph “eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology.”
Joseph, however, remains in jail and is facing multiple charges including two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
Us Weekly confirmed days later that Joseph’s wife, Kendra, was arrested on Friday, March 20. She was released that same day on a $1,470 bond.
In addition to his solo charges, Joseph and Kendra, 27, are both facing charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment.
“He’s currently waiting to be transferred from Arkansas to Florida and he’ll be facing trial on child molestation charges in Florida,” Rachael Bennett, a certified family law specialist and senior attorney at Sullivan Law & Associates, told Us on Thursday after looking into Joseph’s case. “He’s also been charged with the same child endangerment crimes as Kendra [Duggar] related to the home inspection, but those are, I would say, considered secondary.”
Bennett explained, “If he’s convicted in Florida, these specific charges could result in a life in prison sentence and if a life sentence isn’t given, Florida law requires what’s called a ‘split sentence,’ which requires a minimum of 25 years in prison followed by lifetime probation.”
Joseph is the second of Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar’s children to be arrested in recent years. Their eldest son, Josh Duggar, was sentenced in May 2022 to 12 years in prison for possession of child pornography.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
