Jason Duggar Breaks Silence on Brother Joseph Duggar’s Arrest for Child Molestation

Jason Duggar is speaking out for the first time since his brother Joseph Duggar was arrested.

On Wednesday, Mar. 18, Joseph was arrested and charged for Lewd and Lascivious Behavior, involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Two days later, Joseph and his wife Kendra were hit with additional child endangerment charges.

On Thursday, Mar. 26, Jason and his wife Maddie issued a statement via Instagram in response to the arrest.

“We, like many, have spent the week completely shocked, confused, and grieved to list a few emotions. We are disgusted to hear the news about my brother, however, this isn’t about how it’s impacted our lives,” the statement began. “Our hearts are burdened because a child’s life has been turned upside down due to evil actions of someone who should have never hurt the vulnerable. This is something unthinkable.”

“We are angered by what was happened, and we pray God’s righteous hand and the court system will serve justice in the situation as deserved,” Jason continued. “Maddie and I have always had a special place in our hearts for the vulnerable around us, and we will continue to do so. To fathom that someone would abuse their authority to harass the innocent is vile.”

“We ask that you pray for the victim who has been brave enough to share what has happened. We also ask that you pray for his family at this time, as his children must face the reality of losing a father that should have been a spiritual leader in their lives,” the statement concluded. “We stand with innocent children. Always.”

RELATED: Jill Duggar Breaks Silence on Brother Joseph’s Arrest for Child Molestation

According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Facebook, investigators were contacted on Mar. 18 by a police detective in Tontitown, Arkansas—where the Duggar family lives—about a report of past sexual abuse.

During a forensic interview, the 14-year-old victim disclosed incidents involving Joseph during a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, when she was 9.

According to the sheriff’s office, the victim reported that Joseph “repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap, sit beside him on a couch, and cover them with a blanket.” Joseph then allegedly made inappropriate contact with the victim and rubbed his hands on her thighs.

The victim said that Joseph eventually apologized, and that the alleged misconduct stopped after the apology.

Investigators discovered the victim’s father confronted Joseph about these incidents on Mar. 17, 2026, with Joseph admitting his actions to the victim’s father and to Tontitown Detectives.

Joseph was arrested out of state and faces charges of Lewd and Lascivious Behavior, including Molestation of a victim under 12 and conduct by a person 18 or older.

During his first court appearance, Joseph did not enter a plea and waived his right to an extradition hearing, meaning he agreed to be transferred to Florida to face charges.

This is not the first arrest for the Duggar family, either. Duggar’s older brother, Josh Duggar, was convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material in 2021 and sentenced to over 12 years in prison.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org.

This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.