Jessa Duggar Releases New Statement on Joseph Duggar’s Arrest—and Takes Out Support for Wife Kendra

Jessa Duggar Seewald is speaking out for the second time after her brother Joseph Duggar was arrested.

On 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—unrelated to Joseph’s initial case.

Joseph entered a written plea of not guilty on Sunday, Mar. 29 and requested a jury trial. He was released from jail after posting a $600,000 bond on Tuesday, Mar. 31.

On Thursday, Apr. 2, Seewald posted a new statement on the allegations to her Instagram Story.

“We learned, along with the rest of the world, of the heartbreaking news involving my brother, Joseph, and we are deeply grieved,” Seewald wrote. “Our hearts ache for this innocent young girl and the harm she has suffered. This is a profound wrong, and we know it grieves the heart of God, who cares deeply for children and the vulnerable. We are lifting her up in prayer, asking for comfort, healing, and justice.”

RELATED: Joseph Duggar Spotted for First Time Since Release from Jail

The message is very similar to Seewald’s original statement, which was posted on Mar. 20 before the child endangerment charges were filed.

“We learned of this saddening news along with the rest of the world on Wednesday, and we are in complete shock,” she wrote on her Instagram Story but later deleted. “Our hearts are grieving for this innocent young girl, and we know this is deeply grievous to God, who cares tenderly for children and the vulnerable. We are keeping her in our prayers.”

“As a family, we are pulling together to support Kendra and her kids during this difficult time,” she added.

Most notably, Seewald’s revised statement removed the line expressing support for Kendra and her four children. According to jail calls between Kendra and Joseph obtained by People, Kendra has lost custody of her children amid the ongoing child endangerment investigation.

RELATED: Kendra Duggar Says Family Still ‘Loves’ Joseph Duggar Despite ‘Disappointment’ After Arrest

“I think Friday has probably been my hardest day, but that’s crazy to say because Wednesday was crazy hard,” Kendra said to Joseph during a collect phone call from the Washington County Detention Facility on Mar. 24.

Friday was the day of Kendra’s arrest while Wednesday was the day of Joseph’s arrest.

“But it’s just like, when you then take my babies from me, they were who I was just going to pour my life into,” she continued.

In another call, Kendra told her husband that her number one priority is their children.

“I’m fighting for the kids and they’re my number one priority right now,” Kendra said, with Joseph replying that he is “100% behind” his wife and that she “should be fighting for them the most.”

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 Apr 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.