Former reality TV star Joseph Duggar, known from the show 19 Kids and Counting, has been taken into custody for allegedly committing sexual offenses against a girl when she was nine years old. He faces charges of molesting a victim under 12 years old and engaging in inappropriate behavior with a person under 18 years old.
The 31-year-old was apprehended by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office on March 18, 2026. The incidents, which occurred in 2020, were reported six years later by the victim, who is now 14 years old. Duggar, residing in Arkansas, was arrested out of state and is awaiting extradition to Florida.
The Tontitown Police Department informed the Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas about the girl’s disclosure of past abuse. She revealed that Duggar had molested her multiple times during a holiday in Panama City Beach in 2020 when she was nine. The victim stated that Duggar made inappropriate advances towards her, which included touching her genitals and thighs.
Following a forensic interview with the victim, the arrest was made. The victim’s father also confronted Duggar on March 17, 2026, where Duggar admitted to his actions. The Duggar family has not released a statement regarding Joseph’s arrest.
Joseph Duggar is part of the Duggar family, who were the focus of the reality show 19 Kids and Counting on TLC from 2008 to 2015. The show was canceled amid allegations of sexual misconduct against Josh Duggar, the eldest son, who was later convicted of receiving child pornography in 2022. If you require support regarding similar issues, you can reach out to organizations like Childline and the NSPCC Helpline.