Joseph Duggar‘s cousin’s tone has changed following his wife, Kendra Caldwell Duggar‘s, arrest.
Amy Duggar had an emotional reaction to the latest arrest in the case, insisting that something bigger may now be at play in the case, following her initial statement that her cousin’s arrest was far from shocking to her.
Joseph Duggar’s arrest came about five years after his brother Josh Duggar was sentenced to 12 and a half years for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materials.
Joseph Duggar’s Cousin Fights Back Tears Over Latest Development In His Case
Amy shared a post on her Instagram Story, appearing very emotional about the arrest of Kendra. In her words, “I don’t know what’s going on, and our local news is saying that there’s more to this and there’s been someone else who’s been arrested.”
She added a disclaimer that while she does not have first-hand information, she still feels like there is more to the story and the whole story. Amy’s next post featured a picture of a black screen, followed by silence since then.
Joseph’s wife, Kendra, was picked up on Friday, March 20, in Arkansas, days after her husband was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 9-year-old in Florida. The actor and his wife were hit with four second-degree counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, alongside four second-degree counts of false imprisonment.
Amy Duggar Was Not Initially Surprised About His Arrest
Amy’s initial reaction to the reality TV star’s arrest was quite different from the latest one. In her previous admission, Amy admitted that she was not surprised that the police came for her cousin because he emerged from a toxic system of predators.
The Blast noted that she expressed that she was angry with the situation and heartbroken, especially towards the victim of the alleged abuse. Amy noted that the victim, who was a child and still a child at the time, deserved to be treated with respect and surrounded by people who care about her safety.
“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,” Amy added.
Joseph Duggar’s Cousin Reiterates That Family Ties Should Not Get In The Way Of Accountability
The actor’s cousin, in her statement about the arrest, stressed that she stands for the truth, even if it comes between herself and her family. She noted that for years, she has spoken about the importance of taking accountability, being truthful, and protecting children, even if it means going against her family.
She continued that family ties should never equal automatic access or trust, especially when it comes to the safety of children. According to her: “When an image is protected over truth, and silence is chosen over accountability, it creates an environment where abuse can thrive.”
She declared that she was praying for the victims and her family as they navigate such difficult times. Amy also sent her well wishes to Kendra and their kids as she begins to process the weight of her husband’s crimes and that her eyes be opened to the situation around her.
Kendra Caldwell Duggar Received An Outpouring Of Support On Instagram
The mother-of-three was picked up after a visit to her home in Arkansas on Friday and has since been released from the Washington County Detention Center under a $1,470 bond. Commenters have now swarmed the comment section of her last Instagram post, urging her to choose herself and leave Joseph.
Kendra was warned to take the kids away from the “evil family,” as references were being made to what Joseph’s parents might have done to him and his siblings for them to turn out this terribly. “I would be terrified to learn what his own kids have endured when no one was looking. Praying for those children,” one Instagram user wrote in the comments.
The Instagram account became a larger part of the discussion after internet users noticed that it had stayed inactive since 2021, with its last post dated nearly one year after the sexual assault happened in Panama City Beach in 2020. Kendra’s feed featured a series of images of their family, including their kids and their special occasions.
Joseph Duggar’s Sister, Jill Duggar, Also Slammed His Behavior
Jill was, in fact, the first member of the Duggar family who had anything to say about the arrest and allegations. The Blast shared that in her statement, Jill opened up about getting wind of her brother’s situation through a friend.
She continued that abuse was not something she stood for or supported, and is fully in support of the law taking its due course as the case continues. Jill’s statement on the family blog also lifted Kendra and the kids with messages of support and solidarity, assuring them that they feel loved as they go through such unimaginable pain.
Joseph’s arrest is the second sexual assault related controversy to rock the family after Josh’s arrest. Joseph’s alleged victim stated that he molested her during a family getaway to Florida by rubbing her thigh and touching her private parts multiple times.
Will the coming days prove Joseph Duggar’s cousin right?