The owner of the home where Joseph Duggar allegedly molested a child did not know about the incidents and ongoing investigation.
Luxury Handbag Shopping spoke to the homeowner who claimed he was unaware of Duggar, 31, and the recent allegations made against him. The owner of the rental property alleged that he did not know about the investigation either and it was the first time that the criminal charges against Duggar were brought to his attention.
The homeowner exclusively told Us that he has not received any phone calls from the police at this time. However, he believed the rental’s property management company might have more information and said he planned to contact them.
Earlier this month, Duggar was arrested in Tontitown, Arkansas, on March 18 for 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.
Duggar was accused by a victim, now 14, who claimed to experience “several instances of sexual abuse” with the 19 Kids and Counting alum when she was 9 years old, per an affidavit obtained by Us. He was allegedly among the many guests present at a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2020. Joseph’s wife, Kendra Duggar, was also on the trip and pregnant with the couple’s third child at the time. (The pair share sons Garrett and Justus as well as daughters Addison and Brooklyn.)
The accuser claimed that Joseph “asked [her] to sit on his lap, numerous times” during the trip. She also alleged that Joseph asked her to “sit on the couch beside [him],” at which point he would cover the pair with a blanket where he allegedly touched her inappropriately. The girl shared that Joseph later “apologized for his actions,” claiming that “the incidents stopped occurring” following the apology.
Joseph was ultimately arrested after the victim’s father called the reality star to confront him. Duggar allegedly admitted his actions to the father and to Tontitown detectives.
One day after his arrest, Joseph appeared in court virtually and did not enter a plea. He also waived his right to an extradition hearing, which paved the way for the father of four to be extradited to Florida.
Following Joseph’s arrest, Kendra, 27, was taken into custody on March 20. She is facing four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment. Kendra was released on a $1,470 bond hours later.
A spokesperson for the Duggar family told Us in a statement, “[Kendra’s] is a misdemeanor charge totally unrelated to the Florida case.”
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.
