Joseph has been accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl during a 2020 family vacation.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are ‘heartbroken’ following son Joseph’s arrest

Joseph has been accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl during a 2020 family vacation.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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March 30, 2026 6:14 p.m. ET

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Joseph Duggar; Michelle Duggar and Jim Bob Duggar. Credit:

TLC; Peter Kramer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

- Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have spoken out following their son and daughter-in-law's arrests.

- Joseph Duggar was arrested on March 18 on molestation charges regarding an incident that took place in 2020 with a 9-year-old girl.

- Unrelated to Joseph's molestation charges, Kendra and Joseph were charged with four charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and four charges of false imprisonment on March 20.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are "heartbroken" following Joseph and Kendra Duggar's arrests.**

A spokesperson for the family told ** on March 30 that Jim Bob and Michelle are "heartbroken over this entire situation," referring to the events that have unfolded in recent weeks.**

"Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time," the spokesperson continued, referring to their son and his wife's four children. "They are praying for the victim. They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.”

On March 18, Joseph was arrested on charges of 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. According to the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Florida, the incident that took place in 2020 involved Joseph and a 9-year-old girl. The girl, now 14, recently came forward to the police with the allegations.**** Joseph was being held in solitary confinement at Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Ark., until Friday, March 27, when he was released. However, his whereabouts remain unknown, as he has not been officially booked by the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Florida, the jurisdiction where the 2020 crimes allegedly took place.

Joseph and Kendra Duggar.

Little Duggar Family/Instagram

Joseph and his wife Kendra are facing separate charges unrelated to the molestation allegations. According to Arkansas' Tontitown Police Department, Kendra was arrested on March 20 on four charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and four charges of false imprisonment.

Kendra was released on bail following her charges and is due back in court on April 29.**

What to know about Joseph Duggar's wife and children amid his child molestation charges

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Other members of the Duggar family have come forward after Joseph's arrest. His sister Jill Duggar Dillard spoke out on the Dillard family blog.

"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. We are shocked and heartbroken."

She continued, "We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved. 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."

Joseph's brother Jason also spoke out following the arrest. "We, like many, have spent the week completely shocked, confused, and grieved to list a few emotions," a statement shared by Jason and his wife Maddie read on Instagram.

"We are disgusted to hear the news about my brother, however, this isn't about how it's impacted our lives," they continued. "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."

They concluded their post asking to pray for the victim that came forward, along with Joseph's family, "as his children must face the reality of losing a father that should have been a spiritual leader in their lives."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

The Duggar family rose to fame with the TLC reality show *19 Kids and Counting*, which focused on Michelle, Jim Bob, and their brood of children. The series and its spinoff *Counting On *were canceled amid Josh Duggar's legal issues. He was arrested for pornography charges in 2021. After being found guilty of possessing receiving child pornography, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2022.**

*If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.*

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