Joseph Duggar‘s family has spoken out about allegations that he molested a child, but where did the Duggars stand with him and wife Kendra Duggar before their shocking arrests?
Reality TV fans were introduced to the Duggar family in 2008 with the premiere of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting. The show followed Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar‘s large family and conservative lifestyle, but TLC canceled the series in 2015 after eldest son Josh Duggar’s molestation admission.
Josh was later convicted of receiving and possessing child pornography and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. The rest of the Duggars subsequently took a step back from the spotlight as their spinoff show Counting On came to an end, and they largely kept the public updated about their lives through social media.
Joseph, for his part, made appearances online before his shared account with Kendra went quiet in late 2021 months after Josh’s arrest.
Jill, Josh and More Duggar Family Members React to Joseph Duggar’s Arrest
Several years later, Joseph was charged in March 2026 with 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.
According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged victim, then 9, was on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2020 when Joseph allegedly asked her to sit on his lap and “grazed her genitals” while under a blanket. Joseph apologized for his actions at the time, and no further incidents occurred.
Authorities were later alerted to the allegations when the victim’s father confronted the former reality star. Days later, Joseph once again admitted his actions to both the father and to detectives from the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas.
Kendra was later arrested on four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment. She was released the same day on bond.
Keep scrolling for a breakdown of Joseph’s relationship with the Duggars before his arrest:
Was Joseph Duggar Close to the Duggars Before His Arrest?
Despite stepping back from the spotlight, Joseph Duggar and wife Kendra Duggar were seen at family functions. Their last appearance was in a holiday vlog where they were seen dressed up to celebrate Christmas 2025 with Joseph’s siblings.
How Did the Duggars React After Joseph Duggar’s Arrest?
Jill Duggar broke her silence in a blog post, writing in March 2026, “We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother (Joseph Duggar’s) arrest. 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 and husband Derick Dillard said they were “shocked and heartbroken” by the allegations.
“We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved,” the message 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 also released a statement while he continued to serve his time behind bars. Josh’s lawyer told the Daily Mail that he was “deeply saddened” to learn Joseph was charged. He went on to slam the “false accusations” against his brother following “stigma.”
“He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life,” the statement on Josh’s behalf continued. “He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.”
Who Is Joseph Duggar? What to Know About the Former TLC Star After Arrest
What Did Joseph Duggar Say About Josh Duggar?
Joseph Duggar’s brother Josh Duggar made headlines in 2015 when he apologized for molesting several girls when he was a teenager. He revealed that he’d previously sought counseling for his “wrongdoings” as a teen.
“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret,” he wrote via the Duggar family’s Facebook account at the time. “I hurt others, including my family and close friends.”
Months later, hackers released stolen data from the website Ashley Madison, which led to Josh admitting he was unfaithful to his wife, Anna Duggar, after his account was exposed.
“I brought hurt and a reproach to my family, close friends and the fans of our show with my actions that happened when I was 14-15 years old, and now I have re-broken their trust,” Josh wrote via his family’s website in 2015. “The last few years, while publicly stating I was fighting against immorality in our country, I was hiding my own personal failings. As I am learning the hard way, we have the freedom to choose our actions, but we do not get to choose our consequences. I deeply regret all [the] hurt I have caused so many by being such a bad example. I humbly ask for your forgiveness. Please pray for my precious wife Anna and our family during this time.”
Joseph, for his part, called out Josh’s infidelity.
“Whenever somebody you respect the most is willing to get up and proclaim what we believe as Christians, about being true to your wife, you’d never think that that’s the person who’s involved in it,” Joseph said in a 2015 episode of Counting On about how Josh “was living such a secret life,” adding, “It broke my heart.”
Josh was arrested in 2021 on child pornography charges. He was later convicted of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material.
