Joseph Duggar’s Wife Kendra Duggar Charged After His Arrest

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Content warning: This story discusses child sexual abuse.

Joseph Duggar‘s wife Kendra Duggar is also facing criminal charges following his arrest.

According to a statement released on March 20th by the Tontitown, Arkansas Police Department, the 27-year-old individual has been charged with four counts of endangering a child and four counts of unlawful imprisonment.

I can’t believe it! Joseph – the guy arrested on March 18th for… well, for something truly awful involving a child back in 2020, when she was only nine years old – is now facing even more charges! The police say it’s all connected to that horrific behavior. It’s just… unbelievable and sickening. I’ve been following this case obsessively, and it just keeps getting worse.

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

Joseph and Kendra got married in September 2017, not long after they started dating. They now have four children.

Police arrested Joseph, age 31, after a 14-year-old girl told investigators about several incidents that occurred during a family trip to Florida involving the former star of 19 Kids and Counting.

According to a statement from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office released on March 18th, the victim said Joseph repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap. Throughout the vacation, he also asked her to sit close to him on the couch and covered them with a blanket. The victim reported he inappropriately touched her under her clothing and grazed her genital area, and continued to rub his hands on her thighs.

Joseph apologized for what he did, and the incidents ceased after that, according to authorities. He confessed to his actions to investigators after the alleged victim’s father confronted him the day before his arrest.

 

This latest legal issue for the Duggar family follows a similar situation with Joseph’s brother, Josh Duggar, who was convicted of possessing child pornography nearly five years ago. While Josh is serving a 12-year prison sentence, his lawyer stated he recognizes the shame associated with being accused of a crime, especially after learning about his brother’s arrest.

Although Josh doesn’t often talk to his brother, Joseph, his lawyer shared with the Daily Mail that Josh, who continues to say he didn’t do anything wrong, is wishing Joseph well and hoping he gets through this tough situation.

For more about the Duggar family, read on.

The Duggar family is again facing legal issues, just five years after Josh Duggar, one of the older brothers, was convicted of possessing child pornography. While serving a 12-year prison sentence, Josh’s lawyer stated he recognizes the shame associated with being accused of a crime, following news of his brother’s recent arrest.

Even though Josh doesn’t often talk to Joseph, his lawyer told the Daily Mail that the 38-year-old—who still says he didn’t do anything wrong—is hoping his brother gets through this tough time and wishes him well.

For more about the Duggar family, read on.

This couple, who first dated 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 that a new believer – a cheerleader from school – lived with the Ruarks, so Jim Bob went to their door.

Oh my gosh, it’s just the sweetest story! So, Jim Bob basically prayed for Michelle to be his spiritual leader after inviting her to Sunday school – can you believe it?! Apparently, she didn’t remember their first meeting as vividly as he did, which is a little heartbreaking, but still! Then, a year later, fate intervened! She applied for a job at his parents’ frozen yogurt shop, and he was working the cash register. She said he was so shy but incredibly sweet when he introduced himself. Honestly, she doesn’t remember much of the actual conversation, but the best part is, he finally worked up the courage to ask her to the junior-senior banquet! It’s just…perfect! They’ve been married for 33 years, and he shared her letter about it on their family blog for his birthday. It’s the most adorable thing ever!

Michelle and Jim Bob first connected at a dinner held at Shiloh Christian. However, it was the hours they spent talking about the Bible at her parents’ home afterward that truly sparked their connection. As Michelle recalls, that’s when they felt their hearts truly connected. They graduated high school in May 1984 and were married just two months later in July. Michelle was 17 at the time, and Jim Bob was 19.

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

I’ve been following Jim Bob’s career for years. He really dedicated himself to public service as a state representative for Arkansas’s sixth district from 1999 to 2002, even becoming vice chair of the House committee dealing with corrections and criminal law. He’s always been ambitious, though – he ran for U.S. Senate in 2002 and then again in 2006, hoping to become the Republican nominee for the State Senate in District 35. Unfortunately, he didn’t win either of those primaries, but you could always tell he was passionate about serving the people.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, both real estate agents, are known for their conservative beliefs. These beliefs have made them both strong advocates for and subjects of controversy 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 child of the Duggar family, was born on March 3, 1988. Like his parents, he became involved in conservative activism, working with the Family Research Council.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve followed this story closely, and it’s truly heartbreaking. Back in 2015, Josh Duggar stepped down from his public role when old police records came to light alleging inappropriate behavior towards young girls, including his sisters, Jessa and Jill. It was a very difficult time for the family, and Jessa actually spoke out to Fox News, defending her brother and stating that much of what was being said was untrue and exaggerated. She even shared that she was one of those affected, and felt compelled to speak up about what really happened.

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 (born June 15, 2011), Marcus (born June 2, 2013), Meredith (born July 16, 2015), Mason Garett (born September 12, 2017), Maryella Hope (born November 27, 2019), and Madyson Lily (born October 23, 2021). The cancellation of their TLC show, 19 Kids, coincided with the birth of their fourth child, Meredith, in 2015.

In April 2021, Josh was indicted on federal charges for receiving and possessing child pornography, and he initially pleaded not guilty. In 2022, he was convicted on both counts, though the judge later dismissed the possession charge. He received a prison sentence of 12 and a half years.

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, since I nurse my babies, but my children are very close in age – I have one baby, then I’m pregnant again just eight months later. It’s another unexpected thing that’s happened in our family, and we believe it’s part of God’s plan.

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 several years prior to meeting at a church event in Oklahoma, where Abbie is from.

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

In a heartfelt message on their 30th birthday in January 2020, Jana reflected on a long-running joke about having a ‘twin thing’ – that special connection where twins feel what the other is feeling or know what the other is thinking. She’d always said they didn’t share that connection, but the birth of their daughter, Gracie, changed her mind. She realized she felt just as much joy as John did, proving that ‘twin thing’ was, in fact, real!

Jana said it was lovely seeing them and Abbie as parents, adding that they were natural at it. She also pointed out that the same great qualities that make him a wonderful brother would definitely make him an amazing dad.

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 recently shared with People magazine that she didn’t always see how things fit together, but she trusts that God has a plan for everyone. That’s why she’s choosing to get married later in life. She believes that everyone’s journey is unique, and if we were all the same, life would be much less interesting.

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 way similar to how her parents met. He visited the Duggar family home in December 2011 while caroling with his church group, and they lived about 45 minutes apart.

Jim Bob introduced Jill and Derick, and they quickly connected through emails and video calls. That November, Jill and her father visited Derick in Nepal, and their relationship blossomed. Derick formally asked Jim Bob for Jill’s hand in marriage in February 2014, and they were married on June 21st of that year. 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 that she and Derick had lost their first baby girl during pregnancy.

In the Amazon Prime Video documentary Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets, which debuted in June 2023, Jill and Derick Dillard discussed the controversies and religious beliefs connected to her 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 formal approach to courtship was new to many viewers, as the couple kept their romantic relationship private before getting engaged. Jessa’s father, Jim Bob, explained to People magazine that courtship involves getting to know each other with both families involved, and setting shared goals to see if marriage is right. He contrasted this with typical dating, where couples often spend time alone and the relationship can become physical quickly.

Ben asked Jessa’s parents for 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 expecting their first child when their show, 19 Kids and Counting, was canceled. TLC then aired a special featuring Jessa and her sister Jill, to raise awareness about sexual abuse. Later that winter, the sisters starred in their own show, Jill and Jessa: Counting On, which eventually became Counting On and included other members of the Duggar family.

Jessa and Ben have four children: Spurgeon, born in November 2015; Henry, born in February 2017; Ivy Jane, born in May 2019; and Fern, born in July 2021. Sadly, Jessa experienced a miscarriage during the 2022 holidays. They welcomed their fifth child, George, in December 2023.

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 – the same day as Jinger’s nephew Spurgeon’s birthday – and, being part of a large family of 19 children, quickly faced speculation about starting a family themselves.

In June 2017, on the show Counting On, Jinger shared that she and her family hoped to be settled in Laredo a year from then, continuing their ministry and finding ways to serve God.

The couple’s daughter, Felicity, was born on July 19, 2018. They had previously announced in May of that year that they were expecting another child, but shared that Jinger had experienced a miscarriage in the fall of 2017. Their second daughter, Evangeline Jo, arrived in November 2020.

Son Finnegan Charles was born March 29, 2025.

Joseph Duggar, born on January 20, 1995, proposed to Kendra Caldwell in May 2017. They had met through church and had only been courting for a short time, and he chose Joy-Anna’s wedding as the perfect moment to ask her to marry him.

Joseph admitted he was nervous when he proposed, but he felt confident she’d say yes, recalling her telling him, ‘I’m just waiting on you!’ Kendra, overjoyed and surprised, shared with People, ‘I’m so happy and so shocked. I have so much I want to say, but I’m just shocked!’

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.

In March 2026, Joseph was arrested on charges related to sexually abusing a child. The allegations involve incidents with a girl who was nine years old in 2020.

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 in the same location where her parents had gotten engaged, explaining that the property held a lot of family history and was particularly meaningful to her.

Oh my gosh, you guys, Michelle, his mom, posted the sweetest video on their blog! She said they absolutely love Lauren, calling her ‘such a precious girl’! And Jessa and Ben were SO excited, sending over the cutest chocolate x’s and o’s! Then, get this, Michelle jokingly said she’s pretty sure they’re saving their first kiss for the wedding, but if they came over, they’d give them… and she held up the chocolate! It’s just… everything! I’m seriously melting! They are the cutest couple ever, and I’m living for all these little moments!

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 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.

I was so thrilled when he and Lauren got married on June 30, 2018 – they told People it was truly a perfect day! Then, after facing a heartbreaking loss in 2018, they welcomed their sweet daughter, Bella Milagro, on November 8, 2019. Her name means ‘miracle baby,’ and she absolutely is! Their family continued to grow with the arrival of Daisy in 2022, and most recently, their son Ezra in May 2023. It’s been wonderful watching their family blossom.

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

Joy-Anna Duggar and Austin Forsyth had been friends for 15 years before they began dating. They quickly fell in love, with Austin proposing in February 2017. They were married just a few months later on May 26, 2017, at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas—the same wedding where Joseph Duggar proposed to Kendra Caldwell!

I’ve been so thrilled to watch Joy-Anna and Austin’s family grow! They welcomed their first son, Gideon Martin Forsyth, back in February of 2018, and then their sweet daughter, Evelyn Mae Forsyth, arrived in August 2020. Most recently, in May 2023, they added another little boy, Gunner James Forsyth, to the family – it’s been wonderful to follow their journey!

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 is a certified flight instructor and 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.

Back in January 2017, the Daily Mail said Jim Bob assisted Jase in purchasing a rundown house in Prairie Grove, Arkansas – roughly half an hour from the Duggar family’s home. Jase then went on to launch his own construction business.

He publicly announced his relationship with Maddie Grace on Instagram in May 2024, and they were married in October of the same year.

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

Okay, so he’s totally single right now, doesn’t seem to be looking for anyone, but honestly? He’s amazing with kids! He’s got like, a million nieces and nephews, and he absolutely adores them. It’s the cutest thing ever, seriously. It just makes me even more obsessed, seeing how sweet he is with them!

Mom Michelle described James as the ‘funcle’ – the fun uncle! – and said all the younger boys admire him and want to be just like him. She wrote this on his 19th birthday in 2019. James has always been incredibly resourceful and can seemingly build or fix anything. Even as a little boy, he was known for taking things apart – from household appliances to anything else he could get his hands on – figuring out how they worked, and then reassembling them, often with his own creative 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.

He started dating Claire Spivey in September 2020, and they announced their engagement the following November. They were married on February 26, 2021.

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.

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

Oh my gosh, you guys, Johannah Duggar is so special! She was born on October 11th, 2005, and that’s actually why they did that original special, 16 Kids and Moving In – to document everything happening with the family as they welcomed her! It’s just… iconic, honestly.

I was so touched reading Michelle’s post about her daughter turning fifteen! She described her as such a fun and friendly person, always eager to meet new people. It’s clear her little sisters absolutely idolize her – Michelle said they think she’s amazing! She also expressed how thankful she is to God for the privilege of being this girl’s mom, and honestly, it just warmed my heart to read such a sweet tribute.

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.

When her daughter, Jennifer, turned thirteen, Michelle described her as someone who is reliable, loyal, and a joy to be around. Jennifer is beloved by her younger cousins, who constantly want to be held by her! She also has a huge heart for animals and is dedicated to caring for her pets each day. Recently, she even helped care for a litter of seven baby bunnies!

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

In 2019, Jordyn-Grace’s mom described her as a friendly and sociable girl who easily makes friends. She also noted that Jordyn-Grace’s laughter always brightens their day.

Josie Duggar, born on December 10, 2009, was born three months early and weighed just 1 pound, 6 ounces at birth. She spent six months in the NICU receiving specialized care. Here she is pictured holding her niece, Meredith.

Michelle described her daughter, Josie, as incredibly energetic when writing a birthday message for her 11th birthday in 2020. She noted that Josie is almost always on the go, from the moment she wakes up until bedtime.

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2026-03-21 04:19