Share and Follow
A reality television personality found himself in legal trouble on Wednesday after being accused of sexually abusing a minor during a family getaway in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Joseph Garrett Duggar, known from TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” faces charges of lewd and lascivious behavior with a child, along with molesting a victim younger than 12. Duggar is 31 years old.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office reveals that the allegations came to light during a forensic interview with the 14-year-old victim. She recounted several episodes of abuse by Duggar dating back to 2020, when she was only 9 years old.
Authorities report that the victim accused Duggar of frequently coaxing her to sit on his lap. The situation allegedly escalated, with Duggar covering her with a blanket and engaging in inappropriate touching.
The young girl reportedly mentioned that Duggar had apologized for his actions, which then ceased.
Officials say the victim’s father confronted Duggar on Tuesday, where he admitted his actions to both the father and Tontitown Detectives.
Duggar was arrested and is awaiting extradition to Bay County.
This is the second arrest in the Duggar family. Josh Duggar was found guilty of possessing child pornography in 2021.
Josh Duggar found guilty in child pornography trial