Overview
- Joseph Duggar, arrested March 18 on Florida counts of lewd and lascivious conduct involving a child under 12, is being held in Washington County, Arkansas, pending extradition.
- Investigators say a recorded call with the girl’s father, arranged after a forensic interview, captured Duggar admitting he touched her over her clothing and saying his intentions were not pure.
- The Bay County Sheriff’s Office says the now 14-year-old reported he asked her to sit on his lap, covered them with a blanket, manipulated her underwear, grazed her genitals, and rubbed her thighs during a 2020 vacation in Panama City Beach.
- Separate Arkansas charges accuse Joseph and his wife, Kendra, of second-degree child endangerment and false imprisonment after a home check that reports say found exterior locks on children’s bedroom doors; Kendra was arrested March 20 and released on bond.
- Several relatives publicly condemned the alleged abuse and voiced support for the victim, while Josh Duggar denied the new allegations through his lawyer, and court dates and transfer to Florida are still pending.