Breaking News! Former ‘Counting On’ Star Joseph Duggar Arrested on Charges Involving Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor
Trigger Warning: This story contains mentions of CSAM and child sexual assault.
Former Counting On star Joseph Duggar has been arrested and charged with Lewd and Lascivious Behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Florida reported on Wednesday that investigators were contacted by a detective in the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas regarding a report of past alleged sexual abuse involving the 31-year-old former TLC star.
According to the BCSO, the detective revealed that a now-14-year-old victim had disclosed in a forensic interview several incidents involving Joseph that occurred during a 2020 family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, when the teen was 9 years-old.
The victim claimed that Joseph asked her repeatedly to sit on his lap during the vacation, as well as next to him on a couch, and then covered them with a blanket. She went on to state that Joseph “manipulated” her underwear and “grazed her genitals,” and continued to rub his hands on her thighs.
Joseph eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents reportedly stopped; however, investigators learned that the victim’s father confronted Joseph about the incidents earlier this week, at which point Joseph reportedly admitted his actions to the victim’s father and to Tontitown detectives.
According to the BCSO, Joseph was arrested out of state and charged with Lewd and Lascivious Behavior– Molestation of a Victim Less Than 12-Years-Old and Lewd and Lascivious Behavior Conducted By a Person 18 Years or Older.
As you know, Joseph, who shares at least four children with wife Kendra, is one of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children; he’s also the younger sibling of Josh Duggar, who is currently serving more than 12 years in prison for receiving and possessing child sex abuse materials (CSAM).
Joseph is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County, Florida.
UPDATE: Joseph was booked into the Washington County Jail in Arkansas just before 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday, where he remains as of press time. He is being held for another department. His mugshot has also been released.
As of press time, no member of the Duggar family has released a statement regarding Joseph’s arrest.
