Joseph Duggar, the younger brother of disgraced reality TV star Josh Duggar, has been arrested in Arkansas.
This arrest marks the second Duggar son to be arrested for crimes involving minors. Josh was sentenced to 12 years in prison after he was found guilty by a jury of his peers in December 2021.
The latest news comes as Joseph was booked into the Washington County jail. It isn’t an unfamiliar place for the family, as Josh spent months there while awaiting his sentencing after being remanded into custody following the guilty verdict.
News of the arrest broke on March 18, after the victim’s father allegedly confronted Joseph about what happened in 2020 while he was on vacation in Florida.
This was during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, when the country virtually shut down. Joseph and his family were vacationing in Panama City Beach, Florida, where the incident took place.
Because this is breaking news, the details of what happened and the potential consequences Joseph will face are scarce.
What is Joseph Duggar being charged with?
According to a report from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Joseph Duggar was arrested 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.
While he is currently in the Washington County jail, Joseph is awaiting extradition to Panama City Beach, Florida. That is where the crime occurred in 2020.
The press release said, “The victim reported Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap. As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket. During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs.”
Joseph reportedly apologized after the events and stopped the behaviors. The victim was around 9 at the time, and is currently 14.
Will Kendra Caldwell stick by Joseph Duggar?
Joseph Duggar is married to Kendra Caldwell. The two share four children — two girls and two boys.
They were heavily featured on Counting On, with one of the last episodes featuring the birth of their third child, Brooklyn Praise.
Her decision to stick by Joseph or walk away will likely depend on the support she receives from her own family and friends outside of the Duggar circle. The Duggars and the Caldwells were heavily intertwined. However, they experienced a fallout of some sort along the way.
Check back with Tea on TV for the latest updates following Joseph Duggar and his legal battle.
Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets is currently streaming on Prime Video.
