Jessa Duggar said that she is “deeply grieved” over her brother Joseph’s alleged actions in a statement regarding his arrest last month on child molestation charges.
“We learned, along with the rest of the world, of the heartbreaking news involving my brother, Joseph, and we are deeply grieved,” Jessa, 33, wrote on her Instagram Story on Thursday. “Our hearts ache for this innocent young girl and the harm she has suffered.”
She continued, “This is a profound wrong, and we know it grieves the heart of God, who cares deeply for the children and vulnerable. We are lifting her up in prayer, asking for comfort, healing and justice.”
Joseph, 31, was arrested by the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas on March 18 over allegations that he molested a 9-year-old girl during a family vacation to Bay County, Florida, in 2020.
The embattled “19 Kids and Counting” alum was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.
He was released on a $600,000 bond on Tuesday after pleading not guilty in the case and was flown from Bay County, where he had been extradited, back home to Arkansas.
But Jessa is just the latest member of the Duggar family to address Joseph’s alleged actions and recent arrest.
Jill Duggar, another one of Joseph’s 18 siblings, said she and her husband were “shocked” but “support the rule of law” and “hope that justice will be achieved” for her brother’s alleged victim.
“Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family,” Jill, 34, wrote in a blog post on March 19.
Jason Duggar, meanwhile, said that he and his wife were “shocked,” “confused” and “disgusted” over their brother’s alleged actions.
“We, like many, have spent the week completely shocked, confused, and grieved to list a few emotions,” the pair wrote on Instagram on March 26. “We are disgusted to hear the news about my brother, however, this isn’t about how it’s impacted our lives.”
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar finally addressed their son’s arrest in a statement to Page Six on March 30.
A spokesperson for the couple told us that they were “heartbroken over this entire situation” but were “focused on loving their family and helping” Joseph’s wife, Kendra, and her four children “during this difficult time.”
“They are praying for the victim,” the Duggar patriarch and matriarch’s rep concluded. “They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.”
Other Duggar siblings to speak out on their brother’s arrest and alleged molestation of a 9-year-old girl include Joy-Anna and Jana.
Joy-Anna, 28, called the allegations against Joseph “deeply disturbing,” while Jana acknowledged that the “news came as a shock.”
Josh Duggar, who is serving a 12-year prison sentence for possessing and receiving child sexual abuse material, slammed the accusations as “false.”
Beyond the child molestation charges, Joseph and Kendra, 27, were slapped with four second-degree counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and four second-degree counts of false imprisonment in Arkansas on March 20.
Although Kendra turned herself in to the authorities, she was later bailed out. The couple is set to return to court later this month.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
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