19 Kids and Counting star Joseph Duggar arrested after he’s accused of abusing girl, 9, on Florida vacation
FORMER 19 Kids and Counting star Joseph Duggar has been arrested for alleged child sex crimes against a nine-year-old girl.
The 31-year-old from Arkansas allegedly molested the child six years ago on a vacation in Florida.
On Wednesday, the former TLC star was charged with molestation of a victim under 12 years old and with lewd and lascivious behavior of a person 18 years or older, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said.
The girl, now 14 years old, told investigators that the incident took place while she was on family vacation in Panama City in 2020.
Duggar, who was booked into the Washing County jail in Arkansas, is awaiting extradition to Bay County.
It is alleged that Duggar asked the victim to sit on his lap, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said.
“As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket,” it has been claimed.
“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 victim stated Duggar eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology,” the authorities said.
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The allegations and arrest come after the victim had a forensic interview due to reports of past sexual abuse.
Her father allegedly confronted Duggar about the allegations and the reality star “allegedly admitted his actions to the father and Tontitown detectives,” and the alleged abuse stopped, per officials.
Duggar is married to his wife Kendra, with whom he shares three young children.
The Duggar family has not issued a statement following the arrest.
Meanwhile, Duggar’s brother Josh, is serving a 12 and a half year sentence after being found guilty in December 2021 of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material.
It was also previously reported that Josh, now 38, confessed to molesting several children, including four of his sisters.
The family’s reality television show aired between 2008 and 2015 documenting the lives of Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar and their 19 children.
It was taken off air after the molestation claims against Josh Duggar.