Joseph Garrett Duggar, a former star of the reality TV show 19 Kids and Counting, was arrested on Wednesday in Tontitown, Arkansas. He faces multiple charges related to the alleged molestation of a 9-year-old girl during a family vacation to Panama City Beach, Florida.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Garrett Duggar, former star of '19 Kids and Counting,' was arrested in Tontitown, Arkansas on charges related to molesting a 9-year-old girl during a family vacation. The victim reported inappropriate behavior including being asked to sit on his lap and being touched under a blanket. Kendra Duggar, Joseph's wife, was also arrested on unrelated child endangerment charges.
The victim, now 14 years old, reported that Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap and covered both of them with a blanket. According to investigators, he manipulated her underwear and grazed her genitals while rubbing her thighs. The incidents allegedly occurred in 2020 when the girl was nine.
The victim's father confronted Duggar about the allegations this week. Police officers had the father call Duggar with a detective on the line, during which Duggar admitted to his actions. He is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County, Florida, where he will face charges of lewd and lascivious behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
Duggar waived his right to an extradition hearing on Friday, setting in motion his transfer to Florida within 30 days. According to Fox News, Duggar apologized for what he allegedly did, and the incidents stopped after his apology. The Tontitown Police Department stated that the investigation remains open.
Duggar faces additional charges of four counts each of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment in Arkansas according to People. This arrest comes almost five years after his older brother Josh Duggar was convicted of downloading child sexual abuse images. The family's reality show 19 Kids and Counting was canceled in 2015 following allegations that Josh had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter.
Amy Duggar King, the outspoken cousin of the famous Duggar family, expressed her shock but lack of surprise regarding Joseph Duggar’s arrest. She stated she is “sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry,” emphasizing that the victim's bravery in coming forward deserves honor according to HuffPost. King also mentioned praying for Joseph Duggar’s wife, Kendra, as she processes this situation.
In a surprising turn of events, Kendra Duggar was also arrested on four counts each of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment in Arkansas. According to The Guardian, these charges are unrelated to Joseph Duggar’s case in Florida. The Tontitown Police Department confirmed that this separate investigation was launched following the alleged incident in Florida.
A spokesperson for the family told People magazine that Kendra's arrest resulted from a home inspection where it was found that door locks were on the exterior of the doors. Kendra Duggar, 27, and Joseph Duggar, 31, both face four counts each of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree false imprisonment.
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