“Disgusted” Jason Duggar Slams Brother Joseph Duggar Over Arrest

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Content warning: This story discusses child sexual abuse.

Jason Duggar is distancing himself from his older brother.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, known from the show 19 Kids and Counting, have publicly criticized their son, Joseph Duggar, following his arrest. He was arrested on March 18th for allegedly sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl during a family vacation in Florida in 2020. Maddie Duggar, Joseph’s wife, also condemned his actions.

Jason and Maddie shared a statement on Instagram on March 26th, saying they were devastated and heartbroken by recent news. While they were personally affected, they emphasized their deepest concern was for the child whose life had been tragically impacted by someone who abused their position of trust. They expressed disgust at the situation and profound sadness for the child’s suffering.

The couple said they are “angered” by the “unthinkable” situation. 

Jason, 25, explained that he and his wife, Maddie, have always cared deeply about protecting those who are vulnerable, and that commitment won’t change. He added that the idea of someone misusing their power to harass others is deeply disturbing.

Please keep the victim in your thoughts and prayers, as it took courage for him to come forward. We also ask for prayers for his family, especially his children who are grieving the loss of their father and the guidance he would have provided. We are committed to supporting and standing with all innocent children.

Thirty-one-year-old Joseph was arrested in Arkansas earlier this month after reportedly admitting to the crime, first to the victim’s father and then to police, according to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.

The girl, now 14, alleged that Joseph had sexually abused her during “several” past incidents. 

According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, the victim said that Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap. During the vacation, he also asked her to sit close to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket. The victim reported that Duggar inappropriately touched her, including manipulating her underwear and grazing her genitals, and continued to rub his hands on her thighs.

Two days after Joseph’s arrest, his wife, Kendra Caldwell, who is also a mother of their four children, was arrested. They both face charges of endangering a child and unlawful imprisonment, according to a statement from the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas. Each charge is a second-degree offense, with four counts of each.

Following the accusations, several family members have publicly criticized Joseph. This includes his sister, Jinger Duggar, and her husband, Jeremy Vuolo, who moved to Los Angeles in 2019 and have since created distance between themselves and the rest of the family.

Jinger shared on the March 25th episode of The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast that she felt immense heartbreak this week. She described the pain as overwhelming, not just for herself, but also considering how many others it has impacted. She said it’s been incredibly difficult and painful in many ways.

TopMob News has reached out to the Duggars for comment on the charges, but hasn’t heard back.

It’s been a difficult time for the Caldwell family. Just two days after Joseph’s arrest, his wife, Kendra, who is also a mother of four, was taken into custody as well. They’re both facing serious charges – four counts each of endangering a child and unlawful imprisonment. The Tontitown Police Department released a statement detailing these charges, and it’s a really sad situation for everyone involved. As someone who focuses on healthy family dynamics, it’s heartbreaking to see something like this unfold, and I hope they can get the help they need.

After the accusations came to light, several family members have publicly criticized Joseph, including his sister Jinger Duggar and her husband Jeremy Vuolo. They moved to Los Angeles in 2019 and have since created distance between themselves and the rest of the family.

Jinger shared on the March 25th episode of The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast that she felt immense heartbreak this week. She described the pain as deeply affecting, not just for her and Jeremy, but for many others, and said it was incredibly difficult to process.

TopMob News has reached out to the Duggars for comment on the charges, but hasn’t heard back.

Keep reading for a full breakdown of the Duggar family tree.

This couple, who fell in love in high school, are now parents to 19 children and grandparents to over 36 grandchildren.

Michelle remembers accepting a religious faith at age 15. Shortly after, Jim Bob was visiting homes in the neighborhood as part of his church’s outreach program. A friend mentioned a newly religious cheerleader lived at the Ruark family’s house, so Jim Bob went to their door.

Jim Bob and Michelle first met when they invited her to Sunday school at their church. Jim Bob hoped they would become spiritual mentors for each other, though Michelle didn’t recall the meeting being particularly memorable. A year later, Michelle applied for a job at the frozen yogurt shop owned by Jim Bob’s parents. She remembered meeting him there: “You came to the counter where I was working and introduced yourself. You were shy but sweet! I don’t remember much of the conversation, except that you finally asked me to the junior-senior banquet!” she wrote in a letter for Jim Bob’s birthday and their 33rd wedding anniversary, which was posted on their family blog in 2017.

Michelle and Jim Bob first connected at a dinner held at Shiloh Christian, but they really bonded later that night. They spent hours at Michelle’s parents’ house talking about the Bible, and Michelle has said that’s when she knew they were meant to be together. They graduated high school in May 1984 and were married just two months later in July. Michelle was 17, and Jim Bob was 19 at the time.

The couple dedicated themselves to God and each other for the long run.

Jim Bob previously served as a state representative for Arkansas’s sixth district from 1999 to 2002, where he was also the vice chair of the House Corrections and Criminal Law Subcommittee. He ran for U.S. Senate in 2002 but didn’t win the primary, and he also unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for the Arkansas State Senate District 35 in 2006.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, both real estate agents, are known for their involvement in conservative activism. This aspect of their lives made them both supporters and targets of criticism surrounding their show, 19 Kids and Counting (originally titled 17 Kids and Counting when it began in 2008).

As of October 2024, they were grandparents of 33 with three on the way.

Josh Duggar, the oldest of the Duggar children, was born on March 3, 1988. Like his parents, he became involved in conservative activism, working with the Family Research Council.

I was absolutely devastated when those old police records came out in 2015. It was awful learning about the accusations against Josh, especially the reports about him… hurting his own sisters, Jessa and Jill, when he was younger. I remember Jessa actually did an interview with Fox News that June, and she was so brave defending him. She said all the hate Josh was getting was just ‘overboard’ and untrue, and she even said she was one of the victims herself! It was just… a lot to process, even as a huge fan. I still can’t quite wrap my head around it, honestly.

His wife, Anna Duggar, whom he married on September 26, 2008, in a ceremony shown on the show 19 Kids and Counting, remained supportive, even after he confessed to infidelity.

In 2016, when he began treatment, his parents described it as an important start to his recovery process.

Anna and her husband have seven children: Mackynzie (born October 8, 2009), Michael (June 15, 2011), Marcus (June 2, 2013), Meredith (July 16, 2015), Mason Garett (September 12, 2017), Maryella Hope (November 27, 2019), and Madyson Lily (October 23, 2021). Meredith was born on the same day TLC canceled 19 Kids.

As a lifestyle expert, I follow legal cases that impact families, and this one is particularly troubling. In April of 2021, Josh was accused of receiving and possessing child pornography, and he initially denied these charges. Unfortunately, in 2022, he was convicted on both counts, though the judge later dismissed the possession charge. Ultimately, he received a sentence of 12 and a half years in prison. It’s a heartbreaking situation and a stark reminder of the importance of protecting children.

Soon after Josh arrived, Michelle became pregnant again, but sadly, she lost the baby. While they were still sad about this loss and seeking direction, they were overjoyed to discover they were expecting twins.

It felt like a special gift from God, a real encouragement to us,” she explained. “We’re still figuring things out as we go. It’s quite rare, because I nurse my babies, but they’re born very close together – I get pregnant again only about eight months after having a baby. It’s just another unique thing happening in our lives, and we believe God is guiding us through it.

John-David Duggar and his twin sister Jana Duggar were born on Jan. 12, 1990.

John-David and Abbie-Grace Burnett married on November 3, 2018, after a quick romance and engagement. They had known each other for some time, but first met at a church event in Oklahoma, Abbie’s home state.

They welcomed daughter Grace Annette Duggar on Jan. 7, 2020 and son Charlie Duggar in September 2022.

I’ll never forget what Jana wrote to John on his 30th birthday back in January 2020. They’d always been asked if they had that special ‘twin connection,’ you know, that feeling of knowing what the other is thinking or feeling. Jana always said no, but then their little girl, Gracie, was born. Jana said she honestly felt all of John’s happiness that day, and it made her realize that ‘twin thing’ really is real! It was such a sweet and touching message.

Jana said it was lovely seeing them and Abbie as parents, adding that they both seemed to have a natural talent for it. She also pointed out that the qualities that made him a great brother would definitely make him a wonderful father.

Abbie and John-David welcomed their third child, a baby girl, in February 2026.

Jana watched eleven of her eighteen siblings get married before she met her husband, Stephen Wissmann. Stephen’s sister, Hannah, is married to Jana’s brother, Jeremiah. Although she sometimes felt frustrated by the wait, Jana believes everything happened according to God’s plan.

Jana explained to People magazine that she’s realized everyone’s life path is unique and that she trusts God’s plan for her, which is why she’s choosing to marry later in life. ‘If we all lived the same way, life would be pretty dull,’ she said, ahead of her wedding on August 15, 2024.

On Dec. 30, 2025, the couple welcomed their first child, son Archie Gerald Wissmann.

Jill Dillard (born May 17, 1991) met her husband, Derick, in a sweet way that mirrored her parents’ romance. He visited the Duggar family home in December 2011 while caroling with his church group; he grew up just 45 minutes away.

Jim Bob brought Jill and Derick together, and they quickly connected through emails and video calls. That November, Jill and her father visited Derick in Nepal, and their relationship blossomed. In February 2014, Derick formally asked Jim Bob for Jill’s hand in marriage, and they were married on June 21, 2014. They now have three sons: Israel, born April 6, 2015, Samuel, born July 8, 2017, and Frederick, born July 7, 2022.

In April 2024, Jill announced she and Derick had experienced a miscarriage, losing their first baby girl.

In the Amazon Prime Video documentary Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets, which debuted in June 2023, Jill and Derick Duggar discussed the controversies and religious beliefs connected to their family.

Jim Bob and Michelle’s fifth child, Jessa Duggar, was born Nov. 4, 1992.

Jessa and Ben first met at church, and he began pursuing her in 2013. This traditional approach to courtship was new to many viewers. Because the couple didn’t discuss their relationship before getting engaged, Jim Bob explained to People magazine that courtship involves getting to know each other with both families involved, and setting goals together to see if they’re a good match for marriage. He contrasted this with dating, where couples often spend time alone, which can sometimes lead to physical intimacy.

Ben asked for Jessa’s parents’ permission to propose, and then he proposed in August 2014 – it was the first time they’d held hands! They married on November 1, 2014. Jessa was pregnant with their first child when their show, 19 Kids and Counting, was canceled. TLC then aired a special featuring Jessa and her sister Jill discussing sexual abuse and educating viewers on the topic. That winter, the sisters starred in their own show, Jill and Jessa: Counting On, which later became Counting On and included other members of the Duggar family.

I’ve been following Jessa and Ben’s family for years, and it’s been wonderful to watch it grow! They welcomed Spurgeon in November 2015, then Henry in February 2017. Their daughter, Ivy Jane, arrived in May 2019, followed by another sweet girl, Fern, in July 2021. Sadly, they shared the heartbreaking news of a miscarriage during the 2022 holidays, but thankfully, they were blessed with another son, George, in December 2023. It’s been a joy to see their family blossom, even through difficult times.

In August 2025, Jessa announced the birth of son Edward.

The sixth Duggar child, Jinger Vuolo, was born Dec. 21, 1993.

Jinger and Jeremy first connected while doing mission work in Laredo, Texas, and began dating in 2016. They got married on November 5, 2016—which happened to be the birthday of Jinger’s nephew, Spurgeon—and quickly faced speculation about whether they were expecting a baby. Considering Jinger is one of nineteen siblings, coordinating dates without overlapping important events was a challenge!

In June 2017, on the show Counting On, Jinger shared that she and her family hoped to be settled and continuing their ministry work in Laredo, serving God in any way they could.

Life has been such a beautiful journey for my family! We were overjoyed to welcome our sweet Felicity into the world on July 19, 2018. Before that year was over, we shared that we were expecting again, but sadly, we experienced a miscarriage the previous fall. Thankfully, our hearts were full once more when we welcomed our precious Evangeline Jo in November 2020. It’s amazing how life unfolds, isn’t it?

Son Finnegan Charles was born March 29, 2025.

Joseph Duggar, born on January 20, 1995, proposed to Kendra Caldwell at his sister Joy-Anna’s wedding in May 2017. They had met through church and had been courting for only a few months when he asked her to marry him.

You know, as a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen so many proposals, but hearing Joseph talk about it, he was definitely a little nervous! But he had a good feeling – Kendra had actually told him she was ready and waiting for him to ask. And her reaction? Pure joy and shock! She was so overwhelmed with happiness she could barely find the words, which, honestly, is the sweetest thing ever. It’s just wonderful to see a couple so genuinely excited about their future together.

The couple has welcomed four children: Garrett, born in June 2018; Addison, born in November 2019; Brooklyn, born in February 2021; and Justus, born in 2022.

On March 18, 2026, Joseph was arrested and accused of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl in 2020. He faces charges related to lewd conduct and illegal sexual activity with a minor.

Two days later, Kendra was arrested for endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment.

Eighth in line, Josiah Duggar was born on Aug. 28, 1996.

After publicly dating for only a few months, the couple announced their engagement in March 2018. He shared that he proposed to Lauren at the same location where her parents had gotten engaged, explaining the property held a lot of family history and was therefore particularly meaningful to her.

Lauren’s future mother-in-law, Michelle, shared in a video on the family’s blog how much they adore her, calling her a ‘precious girl.’ Jessa and Ben also congratulated the couple and offered them chocolate candies shaped like hearts and kisses. Michelle playfully hinted that while they hoped the couple would save their first kiss for their wedding day, they had a sweet treat to offer if they visited.

Josiah previously dated Marjorie Jackson, but they ended their relationship in the summer of 2015. He told People magazine in March 2016 that they had enjoyed their time together and were both trying to discern what God wanted for them. Ultimately, Marjorie didn’t feel the timing was right, so they decided to take a break from the relationship.

He and Lauren got married on June 30, 2018, and described their wedding day as “absolutely perfect” in an interview with People magazine. They became parents to daughter Bella Milagro on November 8, 2019—a name meaning “miracle baby,” after Lauren experienced a miscarriage in October 2018. The couple expanded their family with another daughter, Daisy, in 2022, and a son named Ezra in May 2023.

Ninth sibling Joy-Anna Duggar was born Oct. 28, 1997.

Let me tell you, sometimes the best love stories start with friendship! I’ve always said that knowing someone for a long time is a great foundation, and that’s exactly what happened with Austin Forsyth and me. We were friends for fifteen years before we started dating, and things moved pretty quickly after that! He proposed in February 2017, and we were married just a few months later on May 26th at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas – it was a special day, especially since it was also where Joseph proposed to Kendra!

Joy-Anna and Austin Forsyth have three children: Gideon Martin Forsyth, born February 23, 2018; Evelyn Mae Forsyth, born August 21, 2020; and Gunner James Forsyth, born May 17, 2023.

Jed and Jeremiah Duggar, the second set of twins born to Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, arrived on December 30, 1998.

Jed and Katey Nakatsu married in April 2021 after dating for a year. They have two children: a son named Truett, born in May 2022, and a daughter named Nora Kate, born in June 2023.

Jed and Katey shared the exciting news in July 2024 that they were expecting twin girls. Elsie Kate and Emma Kate arrived on January 8, 2025.

Jeremiah, a certified flight instructor, is married to Hannah Wissmann, who is the sister of Stephen (Jana’s husband). They have two daughters: Brynley, born in December 2022, and Brielle, born in February 2024.

They announced the arrival of their third daughter, Emery ‘Emy’ Jane Duggar, on May 18, 2025.

No. 12 Jason Duggar was born on April 21, 2000.

As a lifestyle expert, I remember reading about Jim Bob really helping Jase get his start! Back in 2017, the Daily Mail reported he assisted Jase in purchasing a rundown house in Prairie Grove, Arkansas – just a short 30-minute drive from the Duggar family’s property. It was fantastic to see Jase take that opportunity and launch his own construction business from it!

Okay, so I nearly lost it when he finally posted about Maddie Grace on Instagram in May 2024! It was a dream come true just seeing them together, and then… then they got MARRIED in October! I was so happy for them, honestly. It all happened so fast, but they’re perfect together!

Charmed No. 13, James Duggar was born July 7, 2001.

He’s not currently dating anyone publicly, but he’s a very loving and involved uncle to many nieces and nephews.

My son James is everyone’s ‘funcle’ – the fun uncle! All the younger boys admire him and want to be just like him,” mom Michelle shared on his 19th birthday in 2019. “He’s incredibly resourceful and can usually build or fix anything he sets his mind to. Even when he was little, we’d find him taking apart appliances around the house, figuring out how they worked, and then reassembling them – often with his own improvements!

James put in a lot of effort this year and earned his commercial driver’s license! He’s now skilled at operating large trucks and heavy equipment, and we’re excited to see what opportunities lie ahead for him.

No. 14 Justin Duggar arrived on Nov. 15, 2002.

Oh my gosh, remember when he finally revealed he was dating Claire Spivey back in September 2020? I nearly lost it! And then, just a few months later in November, they were engaged! It all happened so fast, but it was the sweetest thing ever. And then…the wedding! February 26th, 2021 – I was glued to the internet all day, and it was everything I dreamed it would be. They’re perfect together!

Jackson Duggar, the fifteenth child of Jim Bob and Michelle, was born on May 23, 2004. He’s pictured here with his older sister, Jill.

For Jackson’s sixteenth birthday, his mom, Michelle, complimented his funny personality and said she knew he was eager to finally get his driver’s license.

Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE this, but Johannah Duggar was actually born on October 11th, 2005! That’s exactly why they did that first amazing special, “16 Kids and Moving In” – to celebrate her arrival! It’s just… everything makes so much sense now!

On her daughter’s fifteenth birthday in 2020, Michelle wrote about how much joy she brings to others and how easily she makes friends. She also shared how her younger sisters completely idolize her, and expressed her gratitude to God for the privilege of being her mother.

Jennifer Duggar arrived on Aug. 2, 2007, then the baby of the family.

Their TLC show that premiered Sept. 29, 2008, was christened 17 Kids and Counting.

Now, OMG, she’s a teenager.

As a mom, there’s nothing more heartwarming than watching your child blossom, and my daughter Jennifer just turned 13! I wrote her a little note, and it really struck me how dependable and loyal she is – but she’s also a total blast to be around! The kids adore her; she’s always got a niece or nephew clinging to her because they can’t bear to be put down. She has the biggest heart, especially for animals. She’s incredibly responsible about caring for our pets every day, and she recently went above and beyond, helping to raise a whole litter of seven adorable bunnies! It just makes my heart sing to see her grow into such a caring young woman.

Here on the right, the penultimate Duggar child was born Dec. 18, 2008.

Jordyn-Grace’s mom described her in 2019 as a friendly and sociable girl who easily connects with everyone. She also said Jordyn-Grace’s laugh always brightens their day.

Josie Duggar, number 19 in her family, is pictured here with her niece, Meredith. She was born on December 10, 2009, three months early and weighing just 1 pound, 6 ounces. She spent six months in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Michelle described her daughter Josie as incredibly energetic in a birthday post from 2020. She wrote that Josie is constantly on the go, from the moment she wakes up until bedtime!

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2026-03-27 01:21