Joseph Duggar is “not suicidal” behind bars in Arkansas while he awaits extradition to Florida amid his child molestation arrest, Luxury Handbag Shopping can exclusively report.
Duggar, 31, was arrested on Wednesday, March 18, for unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The former 19 Kids and Counting star was taken to Arkansas’ Washington County Jail, where he sits until he’s extradited to the Sunshine State, where the alleged crime occurred.
Duggar is “not suicidal” or “violent” while in police custody, Washington County Sheriff’s Office confirmed via his intake form obtained by Us.
The document also listed his religion as Christian, noting he’s a married man and father of four, standing at about 5-foot-9 and weighing approximately 206 pounds.
Duggar waived his right to an extradition hearing in his first court appearance via Zoom on Friday. By doing so, the ex-TLC star agreed to be transferred to Bay County, Florida, to face charges for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl.
Investigators were contacted by a detective from the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas after the now 14-year-old alleged victim submitted a claim accusing Duggar of sexually abusing her during a 2020 family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida.
She claimed Duggar had apologized for his actions, noting no other incidents occurred at the time.
Law enforcement was notified of the accusations when the alleged victim’s father confronted Duggar earlier this month. The former reality star admitted the crime to both the father and Tontintown detectives.
He was then 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.
On Friday, March 20, Us obtained Duggar’s intake video, which showed the fallen 19 Kids & Counting star for the first time in police custody.
In the nearly two-minute clip, Duggar was seen handcuffed with his hands behind his back while being patted down by an officer.
At one point, the officer unhandcuffed Duggar and instructed him to remove his shoes and socks. After following orders, he sat barefoot on a metal bench before later changing out of civilian clothes and being taken to a cell.
The Duggar family is no stranger to controversy — or the jail system, as Joseph’s brother Josh Duggar was arrested for a sex crime in 2021.
Josh, 38, pleaded not guilty to receipt and possession of child pornography. He was later sentenced to 151 months in prison.
Josh is scheduled for release on December 23, 2032, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ website; however, he is currently appealing his sentence and seeking early release. His next hearing is in April.
Josh’s attorney told the Daily Mail on Friday, March 20, that he was “deeply saddened” to learn about Joseph’s charge. Josh also slammed the “false accusations” against his brother.
“He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life,” the statement on Josh’s behalf continued. “He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.”
Jill Duggar was the first sibling to speak out about Joseph’s arrest.
“We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother (Joseph Duggar’s) arrest,” she wrote on Thursday, March 19. “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.”
“We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved,” the message continued. “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.”
Joseph is married to Kendra Duggar. The pair said “I do” in September 2017 and welcomed their first child, son Garrett, the following year. Their second child, Addison Renee, was born in 2019, followed by their third child, Brooklyn Praise, in 2021, and their fourth child in 2022.
Kendra, 27, has not addressed the allegations against her husband.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
