{"id":2341478,"date":"2026-03-23T01:45:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T01:45:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2341478"},"modified":"2026-03-23T01:45:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T01:45:58","slug":"josh-duggars-outspoken-cousin-speaks-out-on-his-arrest-and-child-molestation-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/josh-duggars-outspoken-cousin-speaks-out-on-his-arrest-and-child-molestation-charges\/","title":{"rendered":"Josh Duggar&#8217;s Outspoken Cousin Speaks Out On His Arrest And Child Molestation Charges"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>Amy Duggar King, who is know to be the outspoken cousin of the famous Duggar family, said she is \u201cshocked\u201d but \u201cnot surprised\u201d about Joseph Duggar\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/us-news\/joseph-duggar-ex-19-kids-counting-star-accused-molesting-minor-rcna264227\" target=\"_blank\" role=\"link\" class=\" js-entry-link cet-external-link\" data-vars-item-name=\"arrest\" data-vars-item-type=\"text\" data-vars-unit-name=\"69bffa76e4b048411915264a\" data-vars-unit-type=\"buzz_body\" data-vars-target-content-id=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/us-news\/joseph-duggar-ex-19-kids-counting-star-accused-molesting-minor-rcna264227\" data-vars-target-content-type=\"url\" data-vars-type=\"web_external_link\" data-vars-subunit-name=\"article_body\" data-vars-subunit-type=\"component\" data-vars-position-in-subunit=\"0\">arrest<\/a> for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl six years ago.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>\u201cIn light of the recent allegations involving my cousin, Joseph Duggar, I am sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry,\u201d <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/amy-duggar-king-speaks-out-joseph-duggar-arrest-11930631\" target=\"_blank\" role=\"link\" class=\" js-entry-link cet-external-link\" data-vars-item-name=\"King said in a Friday statement to People\" data-vars-item-type=\"text\" data-vars-unit-name=\"69bffa76e4b048411915264a\" data-vars-unit-type=\"buzz_body\" data-vars-target-content-id=\"https:\/\/people.com\/amy-duggar-king-speaks-out-joseph-duggar-arrest-11930631\" data-vars-target-content-type=\"url\" data-vars-type=\"web_external_link\" data-vars-subunit-name=\"article_body\" data-vars-subunit-type=\"component\" data-vars-position-in-subunit=\"1\">King said in a Friday statement to People<\/a>. \u201cMy first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe, protected and surrounded by people she could trust. The courage it took for her to come forward, especially after years of carrying something so heavy, cannot be overstated. That bravery deserves to be honored above all else.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>She continued saying she is \u201cutterly shocked,\u201d but \u201cat the same time, I am not surprised that another alleged predator has emerged from this toxic system.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>Joseph Duggar, a 31-year-old former reality star of TLC\u2019s \u201c19 Kids and Counting,\u201d <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/joseph-duggar-arrested-molesting-minor_n_69b9bc6ae4b09852c283085d\" target=\"_blank\" role=\"link\" class=\" js-entry-link cet-internal-link\" data-vars-item-name=\"was arrested and charged Wednesday\" data-vars-item-type=\"text\" data-vars-unit-name=\"69bffa76e4b048411915264a\" data-vars-unit-type=\"buzz_body\" data-vars-target-content-id=\"69b9bc6ae4b09852c283085d\" data-vars-target-content-type=\"buzz\" data-vars-type=\"web_internal_link\" data-vars-subunit-name=\"article_body\" data-vars-subunit-type=\"component\" data-vars-position-in-subunit=\"2\">was arrested and charged Wednesday<\/a> for lewd and lascivious behavior and molestation of a child less than 12 years old.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>During a 2020 vacation, Duggar allegedly asked the victim to sit on his lap.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>\u201cAs the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket,\u201d <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BayCountySO\/photos\/bcso-charges-arkansas-man-for-lewd-and-lascivious-conduct-with-a-minor-the-bay-c\/1526420288841229\/\" target=\"_blank\" role=\"link\" class=\" js-entry-link cet-external-link\" data-vars-item-name=\"the Bay County Sheriff\u2019s Office said in a statement\" data-vars-item-type=\"text\" data-vars-unit-name=\"69bffa76e4b048411915264a\" data-vars-unit-type=\"buzz_body\" data-vars-target-content-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BayCountySO\/photos\/bcso-charges-arkansas-man-for-lewd-and-lascivious-conduct-with-a-minor-the-bay-c\/1526420288841229\/\" data-vars-target-content-type=\"url\" data-vars-type=\"web_external_link\" data-vars-subunit-name=\"article_body\" data-vars-subunit-type=\"component\" data-vars-position-in-subunit=\"3\">the Bay County Sheriff\u2019s Office said in a statement<\/a>. \u201cDuring this time, Duggar manipulated the victim\u2019s underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>Joseph Duggar\u2019s arrest comes five years after his brother Josh Duggar was <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/josh-duggar-convicted-child-pornography-26436604345361733003627af33bda78\" target=\"_blank\" role=\"link\" class=\" js-entry-link cet-external-link\" data-vars-item-name=\"convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material\" data-vars-item-type=\"text\" data-vars-unit-name=\"69bffa76e4b048411915264a\" data-vars-unit-type=\"buzz_body\" data-vars-target-content-id=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/josh-duggar-convicted-child-pornography-26436604345361733003627af33bda78\" data-vars-target-content-type=\"url\" data-vars-type=\"web_external_link\" data-vars-subunit-name=\"article_body\" data-vars-subunit-type=\"component\" data-vars-position-in-subunit=\"4\">convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material<\/a>. He is serving a 12-year sentence in prison. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>King\u2019s original statement to People said she was praying for Joseph Duggar\u2019s wife, Kendra, \u201cas she begins to process this, and for the protection of their children.\u201d However, a few hours later, Kendra Duggar was <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/03\/21\/us\/kendra-joseph-dugger-misdemeanor-arrest.html\" target=\"_blank\" role=\"link\" class=\" js-entry-link cet-external-link\" data-vars-item-name=\"also arrested\" data-vars-item-type=\"text\" data-vars-unit-name=\"69bffa76e4b048411915264a\" data-vars-unit-type=\"buzz_body\" data-vars-target-content-id=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/03\/21\/us\/kendra-joseph-dugger-misdemeanor-arrest.html\" data-vars-target-content-type=\"url\" data-vars-type=\"web_external_link\" data-vars-subunit-name=\"article_body\" data-vars-subunit-type=\"component\" data-vars-position-in-subunit=\"5\">also arrested<\/a> on four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo?fbid=1249707580686319&amp;set=a.168630795460675\" target=\"_blank\" role=\"link\" class=\" js-entry-link cet-external-link\" data-vars-item-name=\"according to a police statement\" data-vars-item-type=\"text\" data-vars-unit-name=\"69bffa76e4b048411915264a\" data-vars-unit-type=\"buzz_body\" data-vars-target-content-id=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo?fbid=1249707580686319&amp;set=a.168630795460675\" data-vars-target-content-type=\"url\" data-vars-type=\"web_external_link\" data-vars-subunit-name=\"article_body\" data-vars-subunit-type=\"component\" data-vars-position-in-subunit=\"6\">according to a police statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>On Saturday, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/03\/21\/amy-duggar-supports-children-amid-joseph-kendra-legal-issues\/\" target=\"_blank\" role=\"link\" class=\" js-entry-link cet-external-link\" data-vars-item-name=\"King told TMZ\" data-vars-item-type=\"text\" data-vars-unit-name=\"69bffa76e4b048411915264a\" data-vars-unit-type=\"buzz_body\" data-vars-target-content-id=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/03\/21\/amy-duggar-supports-children-amid-joseph-kendra-legal-issues\/\" data-vars-target-content-type=\"url\" data-vars-type=\"web_external_link\" data-vars-subunit-name=\"article_body\" data-vars-subunit-type=\"component\" data-vars-position-in-subunit=\"7\">King told TMZ<\/a> that Kendra Duggar\u2019s arrest was a \u201cplot twist no one saw coming.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>\u201cNow that that information has changed and there is more than is coming out and there\u2019s a lot of question marks right now, I\u2019m just going to steer that statement toward the kids because that\u2019s what matters right now,\u201d King told TMZ. \u201cThe kids\u2019 safety, the victim and her family and the four children that were in the home. That is where my heart lies. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>TLC\u2019s reality show \u201c19 Kids and Counting\u201d showed how the large Duggar family lived, often highlighting their fundamentalist Christian religious beliefs. The family subscribes to Bill Gothard\u2019s Institute in Basic Life Principles, which teaches extreme modesty, courtship over dating and homeschooling. A 2023 docuseries, \u201cShiny Happy People,\u201d <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20140717015029\/http:\/\/www.suntimes.com\/news\/26056414-418\/leader-of-oak-brook-religious-group-resigns-amid-sex-harassment-allegations.html\" target=\"_blank\" role=\"link\" class=\" js-entry-link cet-external-link\" data-vars-item-name=\"highlighted past sexual harassment claims\" data-vars-item-type=\"text\" data-vars-unit-name=\"69bffa76e4b048411915264a\" data-vars-unit-type=\"buzz_body\" data-vars-target-content-id=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20140717015029\/http:\/\/www.suntimes.com\/news\/26056414-418\/leader-of-oak-brook-religious-group-resigns-amid-sex-harassment-allegations.html\" data-vars-target-content-type=\"url\" data-vars-type=\"web_external_link\" data-vars-subunit-name=\"article_body\" data-vars-subunit-type=\"component\" data-vars-position-in-subunit=\"8\">highlighted past sexual harassment claims<\/a> against Gothard. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>King often made appearances on \u201c19 Kids and Counting,\u201d where she was painted as the outlier for doing things differently, like wearing pants instead of skirts. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>Since Josh Duggar\u2019s arrest and conviction, King has been outspoken against her family. <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/josh-duggar-sentence-amy-duggar-king_n_628fa280e4b0edd2d020cdf5\" target=\"_blank\" role=\"link\" class=\" js-entry-link cet-internal-link\" data-vars-item-name=\"Since his sentencing\" data-vars-item-type=\"text\" data-vars-unit-name=\"69bffa76e4b048411915264a\" data-vars-unit-type=\"buzz_body\" data-vars-target-content-id=\"628fa280e4b0edd2d020cdf5\" data-vars-target-content-type=\"buzz\" data-vars-type=\"web_internal_link\" data-vars-subunit-name=\"article_body\" data-vars-subunit-type=\"component\" data-vars-position-in-subunit=\"9\">Since his sentencing<\/a>, King said, \u201c12 and a half years isn\u2019t enough.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"primary-cli cli cli-text \">\n<p>\u201cI knew him getting the maximum sentence wasn\u2019t going to be the easiest to prove since it\u2019s his first offense in the judge\u2019s eyes \u2014 which I hate \u2014 but at the same time, he cannot have his computer, he cannot hurt, exploit any more children and when he sees his kids, he has to be supervised,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd honestly, where he\u2019s going, I feel like the prisoners are just gonna take care of him.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"cli cli-related-articles js-cet-subunit\"\/><\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.celebrity.land \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Amy Duggar King, who is know to be the outspoken cousin of the famous Duggar family, said she is \u201cshocked\u201d but \u201cnot surprised\u201d about Joseph Duggar\u2019s arrest for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl six years ago. \u201cIn light of the recent allegations involving my cousin, Joseph Duggar, I am sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry,\u201d King [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2341479,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25174],"tags":[352659,387964,43770],"class_list":["post-2341478","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gossip","tag-child-abuse","tag-duggar-family","tag-tlc"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Josh-Duggars-Outspoken-Cousin-Speaks-Out-On-His-Arrest-And.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2341478","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2341478"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2341478\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2341480,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2341478\/revisions\/2341480"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2341479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2341478"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2341478"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2341478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}