Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar had a very different reaction following son Josh Duggar’s 2021 arrest than they did when son Joseph Duggar was taken into custody earlier this month.
“We appreciate your continued prayers for our family at this time,” Jim Bob, 60, and Michelle, 59, told Luxury Handbag Shopping in an April 2021 statement. “The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious. It is our prayer that the truth, no matter what it is, will come to light, and that this will all be resolved in a timely manner.”
They concluded, “We love Josh and Anna and continue to pray for their family.”
Josh, 38, initially pleaded not guilty to charges of receipt and possession of child pornography following his arrest. He was later sentenced to 151 months in prison and is currently incarcerated. He is still married to wife Anna Duggar, with whom he shares seven children. (Josh attempted to appeal his sentence on several occasions, but they have all been denied.)
Jim Bob and Michelle rose to fame after their TLC show 19 Kids and Counting premiered in 2008, with some of their children appearing on the spinoff Counting On. Josh’s arrest wasn’t the first scandal to rock the family — and it wasn’t the last.
Us confirmed on March 18 that Joseph was arrested by the Tontitown Police in Arkansas after allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl during a 2020 vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida. He 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.
He has also been charged with an additional four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and four counts of false imprisonment in the second degree. (Joseph’s wife, Kendra Duggar, was arrested on the same charges and released on $1,470 bond.)
Joseph, 31, was released from Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Friday, March 27. Records viewed by Us confirmed that Joseph entered a written plea of not guilty on Sunday, March 29, and requested a jury trial.
His parents spoke out in a statement shared with Us on Monday, March 30.
“Jim Bob and Michelle are heartbroken over this entire situation,” a Duggar family spokesperson said. “Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time.”
The statement concluded, “They are praying for the victim. They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.”
Us confirmed on Tuesday, March 31, that Joseph had officially been extradited to the Bay County Jail in Florida. He was later released from custody on $600,000 bond.
