Joseph Duggar, known for his role in the TLC series “19 Kids and Counting,” was taken into custody in Arkansas on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior related to unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The incident in question reportedly occurred during a family trip to Florida in 2020 when a 14-year-old girl alleged that Duggar had molested her when she was 9 years old. Duggar was apprehended in Tontitown, Arkansas, where the TV show was filmed, following a confrontation with the victim’s father and acknowledgment of his actions to both the father and Tontitown Detectives.
A warrant for Duggar’s arrest was issued by the Tontitown Police Department, and he is awaiting extradition to Bay County. Notably, Joseph Duggar’s brother, Josh Duggar, had previously faced legal troubles for possessing images and videos depicting child sexual abuse, leading to a 12½-year prison sentence. The cancellation of “19 Kids and Counting” in 2015 was linked to allegations of Josh Duggar’s past misconduct involving his sisters and a babysitter, triggering a legal investigation that ultimately did not result in charges due to statute limitations.
In response to the resurfacing of these allegations, the Duggar family addressed the situation publicly, with Joseph Duggar expressing shock and disappointment over his brother’s undisclosed actions. The family’s reaction was featured in a special TLC program, “Jill & Jessa: Counting On,” where Joseph Duggar shared his feelings of betrayal upon learning about his brother’s hidden life.