Former reality TV star Joseph Duggar is facing a child molestation charge in Florida, almost five years after his brother Josh, who also starred in the TLC show '19 Kids and Counting,' was convicted of downloading child sexual abuse images.
Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested in Arkansas, where he resides, and is currently waiting for extradition to Florida. He is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior on a child under 12 years old, as stated in an arrest affidavit from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Panama City, Florida.
According to police, they were contacted by officers in Tontitown, Arkansas, who had interviewed a 14-year-old girl stating that Duggar had molested her multiple times during a family vacation to Panama City Beach when she was 9 years old. The girl’s father confronted Duggar about the allegations and reported that Duggar admitted to the abuse. During a recorded phone call facilitated by law enforcement, Duggar again acknowledged his actions.
There is currently no information regarding Duggar's legal representation as no court docket is available in Florida. The Tontitown Police Department reported that the investigation remains open and will be coordinated with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
TLC's '19 Kids and Counting' featured the Duggar family, known for their conservative Christian values and large family of 19 children, all with names beginning with 'J.' The program was canceled in 2015 amidst allegations that Josh Duggar had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter in the past. He was sentenced to 12 and a half years in prison in 2022 for related charges.
Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested in Arkansas, where he resides, and is currently waiting for extradition to Florida. He is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior on a child under 12 years old, as stated in an arrest affidavit from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Panama City, Florida.
According to police, they were contacted by officers in Tontitown, Arkansas, who had interviewed a 14-year-old girl stating that Duggar had molested her multiple times during a family vacation to Panama City Beach when she was 9 years old. The girl’s father confronted Duggar about the allegations and reported that Duggar admitted to the abuse. During a recorded phone call facilitated by law enforcement, Duggar again acknowledged his actions.
There is currently no information regarding Duggar's legal representation as no court docket is available in Florida. The Tontitown Police Department reported that the investigation remains open and will be coordinated with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
TLC's '19 Kids and Counting' featured the Duggar family, known for their conservative Christian values and large family of 19 children, all with names beginning with 'J.' The program was canceled in 2015 amidst allegations that Josh Duggar had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter in the past. He was sentenced to 12 and a half years in prison in 2022 for related charges.
