Joseph Garrett Duggar was taken into custody on Wednesday, suspected of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl several years back.
The former star of “19 Kids and Counting” faces charges for sexual abuse of a minor under 12, as well as lewd and lascivious conduct involving an adult, according to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
The alleged victim, now 14 years old, informed investigators during a forensic interview that the incident occurred in 2020 while she was on vacation with her family in Panama City Beach, Florida.
During this vacation, Duggar allegedly invited the girl to sit on his lap, then asked her to sit beside him while placing a blanket over them. According to the sheriff’s office, “Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals. He also continued to rub his hands on her thighs.”
Authorities noted that Duggar later expressed remorse for his actions, which he claimed had ceased.
On Tuesday, the girl’s father confronted Duggar about the incident, leading Duggar to admit his wrongdoing both to the father and to police.
Duggar, who resides in Arkansas, is currently awaiting extradition to Florida and has been booked into the Washington County jail in Arkansas.
In a related note, Duggar’s older brother, Josh Duggar, faced legal troubles as well; he was convicted in 2022 for possessing child sexual abuse materials and received a nearly 13-year prison sentence. He is not expected to be released until 2032, following a failed appeal for a new trial in 2023.
Josh Duggar’s past allegations dated back to 2006 when a family friend claimed he had sexually abused four of his sisters. Although the case was closed due to the statute of limitations, it resurfaced in 2015 and ultimately led to the cancellation of “19 Kids and Counting.” Josh publicly apologized at that time for his marital infidelity and porn addiction, stating he sought treatment.
He remains married to Anna Duggar and they have seven children. Joseph Duggar also has a family of his own.
Attempts to reach the Duggar family and the Bay County Sheriff’s Department for further comments have been made.
