Jessa Duggar is condemning her brother Joseph Duggar’s alleged actions after he was accused of molesting a child.
“We learned, along with the rest of the world, of the heartbreaking news involving my brother, Joseph, and we are deeply grieved,” Jessa, 33, wrote via an Instagram Story on Thursday, April 2. “Our hearts ache for this innocent young girl and the harm she has suffered.”
She noted, “This is a profound wrong, and we know it grieves the heart of God, who cares deeply for the children and vulnerable. We are lifting her up in prayer, asking for comfort, healing and justice.”
Jessa’s remarks come after Us Weekly confirmed that Joseph, 31, was arrested by the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas on March 18 after allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl in 2020.
The alleged victim accused the former 19 Kids and Counting star of sexually abusing her while on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Joseph was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.
Two days later, Joseph appeared in court virtually and waived his right to an extradition hearing.
That same day, Joseph’s wife, Kendra Duggar, was arrested and subsequently released on $1,470 bond.
Both Joseph and Kendra, 27, were charged on March 20 with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and four counts of false imprisonment in the second degree.
A source exclusively told Us at the time that Kendra’s arrest wasn’t related to Joseph’s child molestation case.
“After his charge, they automatically do a home study if minors live there,” the insider said. “Apparently, they had two rooms where the lock of the doorknob was on the outside instead of inside. They arrested her and took her kids for that, saying it’s evidence that she wrongly detains her kids.”
Kendra and Joseph were married in 2017 and share four children: Garrett, 7, Addison, 6, Brooklyn, 5, and Justus, born in spring 2022.
Us confirmed on Tuesday, March 31, that after being extradited to Florida, Joseph pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. He was released from custody that day after posting a $600,000 bond.
Following Joseph’s arrest, his family, made famous after starring on TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting, have slowly begun to speak out.
Jessa, for her part, initially addressed the scandal on March 20 in a since-deleted Instagram post, calling Joseph’s alleged misconduct “saddening news” to hear.
In the statement, which was written on behalf of Jessa and her husband, Ben Seewald, the couple once again said their “hearts are grieving for this innocent young girl,” and keeping her in their prayers.
Jessa and Joseph’s sister Jill Duggar was one of the first to speak out against him, writing via Instagram in March, “We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved.”
She and husband Derick Dillard added: “Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family. We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.”
Jessa, Jill and Joseph are three of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children. Joseph is the second to go to jail, after their son Josh Duggar, was sentenced to 151 months in prison in December 2021 following a child pornography conviction.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
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