’19 Kids’ Star Joseph Duggar Arrested Near Arkansas Home, Will Be Extradited To Florida On ‘Lewd Conduct’ Charges
Former “19 Kids and Counting” star. Joseph Duggar He was arrested near his home in Arkansas for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl while visiting Florida six years ago.
Duggar, 31, whose younger brother has been convicted of sexual assault Josh Duggarhe was arrested by officers of the Tontitown Police Department around 4 pm on March 18, and is now awaiting extradition to Bay County, FL, where the incident allegedly occurred.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook account, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BSCO) said Duggar was arrested on charges of “lewd and lascivious behavior – molesting a victim under the age of 12 – and lewd and lascivious behavior by a person 18 or older.”
The charges stem from accusations by a 14-year-old girl, who “revealed several incidents involving Duggar that occurred during a family vacation to Panama City Beach when she was 9 years old.”
According to BCSO, Duggar confronted the victim’s father on March 17 and “admitted to his actions.” He is said to have confessed to the incident when he was talking to the police in Tontitown.
The relationship between Duggar and the alleged victim is unknown. And it has not been revealed whether the confrontation between her father and the former reality star took place in person or over the phone.
“According to the investigation, these incidents occurred in 2020 while the family was staying at the Danny Drive residence,” continued the BCSO statement.
Duggar is accused of inappropriately touching the girl during the vacation—the victim told officials that he later “apologized for his actions,” at which point “the incidents ended.”
The Duggar family has yet to comment on the allegations.
Joseph is said to be in custody at or near his family home on the outskirts of Tontitown, where he and his wife, Kendrahave lived since they tied the knot in September 2017.
The couple, who share four children—sons Garrett again Justus and daughters Addison again in Brooklyn-they own several properties in the area, according to records, including a remodeled home they renovated early in their marriage, before renting it out as a short-term vacation home.
The property’s listing, which is live on Booking.com, reveals that the property comes complete with two bedrooms, “a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, and a spacious living area.” Outside there is a fireplace and hot tub.
The couple owns three parcels of land near their vacation home, which they purchased in 2018, records show. While two of those lots were sold as vacant lots, the third, which was purchased for just $5,000, included a lot, which the couple reportedly renovated.
This place is said to be now their main residence, where they live with their four children. The home is located about 15 minutes by car west of Tontitown.
The Duggar family’s estate—where most of their TLC reality shows are filmed—is also located on the outskirts of Tontitown, where Duggar’s father, Jim Boband mother, Michelleit has been supported for decades.
The Duggars rose to international fame after starring in the hit series “19 Kids and Counting,” which followed Jim Bob, Michelle, and their ever-growing children. The show ran for seven years until the network canceled it in 2015 when Duggar’s oldest son Josh was accused of sexual misconduct.
When the spinoff series, “Counting On,” was launched, TLC pulled the plug on the show when Josh was arrested.
Josh was arrested on child pornography charges in 2021 and in May 2022, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison without parole on one count of possession of child sexual abuse material.
Josh’s wife, Annaand their seven children—Mackynzie16, Michael14, Marcus12, Meredith10, Mason8, Mariella6, again Madison4—they currently live in a $1 million estate in Fayetteville, AR, which Jim Bob is understood to have purchased for them in 2025.
The home is believed to have been purchased using part of the $4.7 million Jim Bob and Michelle received from Walmart for their land in Tontitown, AR, that same year.
In addition to its many bedrooms and bathrooms, the property also has a barn with six horse steps and is the epitome of privacy, as there is nothing but lush landscaping around it.
After Josh’s arrest in 2021, his brother spoke out against his actions, saying during a 2015 episode of the family’s reality show: “Anytime someone you respect so much is willing to stand up and declare what we believe as Christians, by being true to your wife, you would never think that’s the person involved in it.”
