What Josh Duggar’s Wife Anna Emailed to Joseph Duggar After His Arrest
Originally appeared on E! Online
Joseph Duggar is getting support from his sister-in-law Anna Duggar.
Before the 19 Kids and Counting alum was extradited from Arkansas to Florida to face child molestation charges, which he has pleaded not guilty to, he received an encouraging email from the wife of his currently incarcerated brother Josh Duggar.
“You’ve got our prayers,” Anna wrote on March 21, according to records from Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas obtained by Us Weekly. “I think I put some money on your books. I don’t remember how phone calls and video calls work.”
The 37-year-old—who is now raising seven kids while Josh, 38, continues to serve out his 12-year prison sentence on child pornography charges—also urged Joseph to get his inmate account in order so he can communicate with Kendra Duggar.
“Just remember, don’t talk about anything legal unless you are with an attorney,” she cautioned. “Everything said in these messages, phone calls and video chats are recorded and turned over to prosecutors.”
Elsewhere, Anna told Joseph, 31, about Josh’s own experience at an Arkansas lockup in 2021, sharing that it was “fairly safe.”
“Are they keeping you in solitary, or will they let you go into a pod?” she asked Joseph in her email. “If there are any concerns for your health, or safety, please let me know.”
Anna added that she had spoken to Kendra—who was arrested on child endangerment and false imprisonment charges March 20 before being bailed out—and praised the 27-year-old for coping under “such heavy situations.”
“I was amazed with how clearly she thought, how focused and articulate she was,” Anna wrote of Kendra, who shares four kids with Joseph. “She loves you deeply. She was strong on the phone call, except for when she talked about it being a month before she can see the kids.”
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Elsewhere, Anna told Joseph, 31, about Josh’s own experience at an Arkansas lockup in 2021, sharing that it was “fairly safe.”
“Are they keeping you in solitary, or will they let you go into a pod?” she asked Joseph in her email. “If there are any concerns for your health, or safety, please let me know.”
Anna added that she had spoken to Kendra—who was arrested on child endangerment and false imprisonment charges March 20 before being bailed out—and praised the 27-year-old for coping under “such heavy situations.”
“I was amazed with how clearly she thought, how focused and articulate she was,” Anna wrote of Kendra, who shares four kids with Joseph. “She loves you deeply. She was strong on the phone call, except for when she talked about it being a month before she can see the kids.”
Kris Connor/Getty Images; Joseph Duggar/Instagram
“My heart breaks for all of you. I know she will win in the end,” Anna added. “It just might take time. Kendra is an amazing woman—the Grace of God is flowing from her life. She is a gem!”
Joseph was arrested on March 18 in his home state after he was accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl during a 2020 vacation to Panama City Beach, Fla. Police said the alleged victim, now 14, told officers that Joseph “grazed her genitals” while she sat on his lap under a blanket.
Joseph appeared in Florida court on March 31, with a judge barring him from having contact with his alleged victim as well as any minors upon his release from custody.
Court documents obtained by E! News showed that Joseph was released on $600,000 bond.
Office of the Sheriff Washington County, Arkansas
In addition to his charges in Florida, Joseph is also facing four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and four counts of false imprisonment in the second degree in Arkansas. Neither he nor Kendra have entered a plea for these charges.
E! News has reached out to Joseph and Kendra’s attorneys for comment but hasn’t heard back.
For more of what Joseph’s family has said about his arrest, read on.
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar
Joseph’s parents broke their silence in a statement on March 30.
“Jim Bob and Michelle are heartbroken over this entire situation,” a spokesperson for the Duggar family told Us Weekly. “Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time.”
The spokesperson added that the couple was “praying for the victim. They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.”
Jill Duggar Dillard & Derick Dillard
“We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother (Joseph Duggar’s) arrest,” the couple wrote in a blog post March 19. “We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph’s arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020. We are shocked and heartbroken.”
Derick and Jill—who spoke out against the family in the 2023 book Counting the Cost—said they “strongly condemn abuse.”
Josh Duggar
“Josh understands the stigma of being accused,” his attorney told the Daily Mail in a story published March 20. “He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.”
Noting that Josh—who is serving 12 years in prison for child pornography—is “not in frequent communication” with Joseph, the attorney said the former TLC star “hopes and prays for his brother’s well being in this difficult time.”
Jana Duggar Wissmann & Stephen Wissmann
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the situation involving my brother, Joseph,” Joseph’s oldest sister said in an April 2 statement with her husband. “This news came as a shock to us, as we have no prior knowledge before it became public.”
The countinued, “Our hearts are with the child who has been harmed—this is a grievous and unacceptable wrong. We continue to pray for the victim and for justice to be carried out.”
Jason Duggar & Maddie Duggar
The couple, who married in 2024, said they are “angered” by the “unthinkable” actions of his brother Joseph.
“We, like many, have spent the week completely shocked, confused, and grieved to list a few emotions,” Jason and Maddie said in a statement shared on Instagram March 26. “We are disgusted to hear the news about my brother, however, this isn’t about how it’s impacted our lives. 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.”
“Maddie and I have always had a special place in our hearts for the vulnerable around us, and we will continue to do so,” their message went on. “To fathom that someone would abuse their authority to harass the innocent is vile.”
They asked for prayers for the “brave” victim as well as Joseph’s family, saying, “His children must face the reality of losing a father that should have been a spiritual leader in their lives.”
Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth
“What has come out about my brother is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing,” Joy-Anna wrote on her Instagram Stories March 26. “My heart is with the victim, and I am grieved by the pain and harm caused. I have been a wreck this week and am taking time to process.”
She added, “I will be taking some much-needed time with my family.”
Jinger Duggar Vuolo & Jeremy Vuolo
As Jeremy put it in March 25 episode of The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast, “It’s been a really difficult week for us to process and think through and pray through this with the podcast.”
As for Jinger—who moved to Los Angeles with Jeremy in 2019—she said, “I did not think my heart could break like it has this week,” adding, “The pain and heartbreak that we’ve had over this and just thinking of how it’s affected so many. It’s just unthinkable. It’s so hard and painful on many levels.”
“It’s hard,” she continued. “All we can do in those moments is cry out to God and ask him to sustain us and give help because you can’t just be prepared for news like this.”
Amy Duggar King
“I am sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry,” Joseph’s cousin said in a March 20 statement to People. “My first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe, protected and surrounded by people she could trust.”
Amy explained she was “utterly shocked to hear about these allegations and Joseph’s arrest.”
“For years, I have spoken out about the importance of truth, accountability and protecting children, even when it meant going against my own family,” she added. “Family ties should never equal automatic trust or access, especially when it comes to the safety of children.”
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