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In Bay County, Florida, a reality television personality has been taken into custody on allegations of sexually abusing a minor during a family getaway in Panama City Beach.
Joseph Garrett Duggar, known for his appearance on TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” faces charges of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor, alongside molestation of a child under the age of 12. Duggar is 31 years old.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office reports that the 14-year-old victim participated in a forensic interview, during which she recounted multiple incidents of abuse by Duggar dating back to 2020, when she was just 9 years old.
According to authorities, the victim disclosed that Duggar often requested she sit on his lap. These situations reportedly escalated to him covering her with a blanket and engaging in inappropriate touching.
The victim also mentioned that Duggar apologized for his actions, after which the incidents 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