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In a troubling twist of events, Joseph Duggar, previously known for his role in the reality TV series 19 Kids and Counting, has been thrust back into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. A recent mugshot reveals a somber-looking Duggar, arrested on grave charges related to the molestation of a minor during a family getaway.
Duggar faces accusations of lewd and lascivious behavior, specifically unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office has laid out these charges, asserting that Duggar allegedly assaulted a 9-year-old girl during a family vacation to Panama City Beach, Florida, back in 2020.
The case unfolded following a forensic interview with the now 14-year-old victim. She recounted several alleged incidents with Duggar, which reportedly occurred while the family occupied a vacation home on Danny Drive. Her detailed account sheds light on the disturbing nature of these claims.
According to the sheriff’s office, the victim recalled Duggar persistently encouraging her to sit on his lap. As their time at the vacation spot progressed, he allegedly invited her to sit beside him on a couch, where he would then cover them with a blanket. It was during these moments, the report states, that Duggar inappropriately touched the young girl’s genitals.
The authorities further reported that Duggar allegedly continued to touch the victim inappropriately, rubbing his hands on her thighs. These accusations paint a harrowing picture of events that have shocked both fans and followers of the Duggar family.
Authorities said Duggar “would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs.”
The girl told investigators that Duggar later apologized for his actions and the alleged abuse stopped.
The minor told her father about the alleged incidents on March 17, according to the sheriff’s office. When confronted by the girl’s father and Tontitown Police detectives in Arkansas, the sheriff’s office said Duggar “admitted to his actions.”
Tontitown Police said in a statement of their own that they took the 31-year-old into custody around 3 p.m. on March 18 after receiving a warrant from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
“This incident did not occur in Tontitown,” police said. “Our officers assisted the victim, the family, and the agency with jurisdiction over the case.”
Duggar is currently being held in the Washington County Jail as he awaits extradition to Florida, according to jail records reviewed by Oxygen. It’s unclear whether he has retained an attorney.
Oxygen reached out to the Duggar family for comment, but did not receive an immediate reply.
Josh Duggar Remains in Prison After Receiving Child Pornography
Joseph’s older brother Josh Duggar—who was also a fixture on the reality show—is currently serving a 12-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted in 2021 for receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography, per NBC News.
The family’s popular reality series was canceled in 2015 after an earlier police report was uncovered that accused Josh of sexually abusing five underage girls, including some of his sisters.
Josh was also later embroiled in another scandal that same year, per CNN, after reports came out that he’d been cheating on his wife Anna.