Instagram | Jill Dillard [left] | Washington County Sheriff's MEGA [right]
Jill Duggar is speaking up after her brother Joseph Duggar was arrested for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old in 2020.
She noted that she and her husband were “shocked and heartbroken” over the claims and also shared a supportive message for the “innocent juvenile victim” of the crime.
However, Joseph’s convicted sex offender sibling, Josh Duggar, has slammed the “false accusation” against him, saying he’s “deeply saddened” by what has happened to his younger brother.
Jill Duggar Slams Brother’s Alleged Molestation Of A Minor
Instagram | Jill Duggar
Jill Duggar is the first member of the large Duggar family to publicly address the shocking arrest of her brother, Joseph Duggar. Joseph was taken into custody on Wednesday, March 18, on child molestation charges, and Jill took to her family’s blog to condemn the alleged act.
“We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother (Joseph Duggar’s) arrest,” a statement released Thursday, March 19, read.
It continued, “We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph’s arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020.”
Jill then stated that she and her husband, Derick Dillard, are “shocked and heartbroken” over the allegations.
“We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved,” the message continued.
Jill Duggar Showed Support For Her Brother’s Wife And His Alleged ‘Juvenile Victim’
In her statement, Jill shared words of encouragement for the alleged victim of her younger brother, Joseph.
She said, “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.”
Jill’s family post also showed love to Joseph’s wife, Kendra, and the four kids that they share together.
“We love our sister-in-law, Kendra, and our four nieces and nephews, and pray that they feel loved and supported during this time as we cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything,” the statement read, concluding with lines from two Bible verses.
According to reports, Joseph was arrested by the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas after being accused of molesting a minor in 2020, during a family vacation to Panama City Beach.
A statement released by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office claims the victim reported that Joseph “repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap,” and as the vacation continued, “he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket.”
“During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs,” the Department said.
He has been charged with one count of lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and a second count of lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.
Reports claim he admitted to the allegations when he was confronted by the victim’s father and Tontitown authorities.
The Duggar Family Has Had A Similar Situation
MEGA
Jill and Joseph are both children of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, who welcomed TLC cameras into their home to show what it’s like living like them on “19 Kids and Counting.”
Viewers followed the devout Christian life of the family until 2015, when their first son, Josh, was accused of molesting five girls as a teenager, two of whom were his younger sisters, Jill and Jessa.
Josh was also involved with child pornography, as a May 2019 statement from the DOJ alleged he used the “dark web and online file-sharing software” to download “child sexual abuse material from the internet multiple times,” per Page Six.
He was arrested 2 years later and was found guilty of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material. He was sentenced to 12½ years behind bars and is expected to be released in 2032.
Josh Duggar Speaks Up In Joseph’s Defense
Arkansas Jail/ MEGA
Meanwhile, Josh has spoken up in defense of his brother Joseph, slamming the claims against him as “false accusations.” Speaking via his lawyers from jail, he said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of his brother’s legal battle, but notes that he was probably “targeted.”
“He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction,” Josh’s lawyer told the Daily Mail.
Josh has more than 6 years to serve out his sentence, but has been desperately trying to appeal. According to Page Six, he hired a Chicago-based attorney after the court denied his request for a new legal team.
