19 Kids and Counting star Joseph Duggar arrested on accusations of sexual activity with a nine-year-old girl
Joseph Duggar, a married father of four, was arrested Wednesday in connection with allegations that he touched a nine-year-old girl’s underwear and genitals.
Joseph, 31, younger brother of convicted sex offender Josh Duggar, He was arrested in connection with lewd and lascivious behavior involving illegal sexual activity with a minor, the statement said. Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Lynn Haven, Florida, announced.
On Wednesday, an investigator with the Tontitown Police Department in Tontitown, Arkansas, reached out to BCSO ‘regarding a report of past sexual abuse.’
Police say an alleged victim, identified as a 14-year-old girl, told law enforcement about a series of inappropriate incidents involving Joseph Duggar about five years ago.
The alleged incidents occurred in 2020, when the alleged victim was nine years old and on vacation with her family in Panama City Beach, Florida, authorities said.
The Daily Mail has reached out to BCSO for further comment. A spokesperson for the Duggar family told the Daily Mail that the family had not released a statement as of Wednesday evening.
Joseph Duggar was arrested Wednesday in connection with allegations that he touched a nine-year-old girl’s underwear and genitals.
The alleged victim told investigators the family was staying at a home on Danny Drive during the illegal events.
BCSO officials stated that Joseph Duggar “repeatedly asked to sit on his lap” and that his behavior increased as the holiday continued.
On another occasion Joseph asked: [the victim] He sat next to her on the couch and ‘rubbed’ his hands on her hips, covering them with a blanket.
‘During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and stripped her of her genitals.’
According to BCSO officials, Duggar then told the alleged victim he was sorry and the incidents ended.
BCSO said the alleged victim’s father confronted Joseph Duggar about what happened on Tuesday, and that’s when he confessed his actions to his father and a detective in Tontitown.
Joseph Duggar was later arrested and charged in connection with Lewd and Lascivious Acts – Molestation of a Victim Under the Age of 12; and Lewd and Lascivious Conduct by a Person 18 Years of Age or Over.
BCSO officials said Joseph Duggar is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County.
Joseph is the younger brother of convicted sex offender Josh Duggar (Photo taken in 2021)
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office said the alleged victim’s father confronted Duggar about the alleged incident on Tuesday, at which time Duggar confessed his actions to the father and a detective in Tontitown; Joseph photographed with his wife of nine years, Kendra
Sources told People on Wednesday that Joseph was booked into a jail in Washington County, Arkansas, around 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Joseph said he was shocked by the criminal actions of his brother Josh, who appeared on Jill & Jessa: Counting On in December 2015.
Joseph, then 20, said: ‘I don’t think it was possible for any of us to know that my brother was living such a secret life. This broke my heart.”
According to People, Joseph has been married to his wife Kendra since September 2017 and they have four children.
Those affected by sexual abuse can text ‘POWER’ to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
