Joseph Duggar made a virtual appearance in a court hearing after his arrest for child molestation.
Duggar, 31, was seen via Zoom during the Friday, March 20, court date to address his extradition to Florida. He did not enter a plea and waived his right to an extradition hearing, meaning that he agreed to be transferred to Florida to face charges. Neither his wife nor any of his other family members appeared in court.
Duggar was arrested on Wednesday, March 18, for lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.
The charges were brought against Duggar by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in his hometown of Arkansas after the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Florida was contacted about a report of past sexual abuse.
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“The Tontitown Police Department is aware of a reported incident that may cause concern within our community. This incident did not occur in Tontitown. Our officers assisted the victim, the family, and the agency with jurisdiction over the case,” read the official statement from the Tontitown Arkansas Police Department. “Earlier today, Tontitown officers received a report of a sexual assault. During the initial investigation, it was determined the incident occurred in Bay County, Florida. Contact was made with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.”
The post continued: “At approximately 3:00 p.m., Tontitown officers received a warrant from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for Joseph Duggar, age 31. Officers arrested Duggar based on that warrant. All questions regarding this incident should be directed to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Panama City, Florida. The Tontitown Police Department wants the community to know that this matter is being handled with the highest level of professionalism, compassion, and diligence.”
According to a press release from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, a 14-year-old girl recalled several alleged incidents that took place in 2020 involving Joseph when she was 9 years old. The girl recalled going on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, when Joseph allegedly asked her to sit on his lap and “grazed her genitals” while under a blanket.
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No further incidents occurred at the time and Joseph apologized before he was recently confronted by the victim’s father. Joseph once again admitted his actions to both the father and to Tontitown detectives before being taken into custody where he has been awaiting extradition to Florida.
Joseph is married to wife Kendra Duggar. The couple, who wed in 2017, share four children: sons Garrett and Justus and daughters Addison and Brooklyn.
Before Joseph’s arrest, his brother Josh Duggar was charged for receipt and possession of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty and was later sentenced to 151 months in prison.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
