Another Duggar Accused of Molesting a 9-Year-Old Girl on Vacation
Nearly five years ago, Josh Duggar made headlines for possessing child sexual abuse materials and abusing his female siblings. He was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison. Now, his brother, Joseph, has been charged with similar accusations: lewd and lascivious molestation of a 9-year-old girl. Stemming from an alleged indecent that occurred when the child was on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2020, Josh admitted his actions after the victim’s father and local detectives confronted him.
As the former 19 Kids and Counting star, Joseph, now 31, was arrested for “lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older,” on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026, according to the Bay County Sheriff's Office. As of 3:59 p.m. that day, Joseph was booked into the Washington County, Arkansas jail.
People Magazine reports that the sexual abuse occurred when Joseph asked the young girl to sit on his lap. "As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket. During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals. Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs," Bay County Sheriff's Office said.
While the victim reported that Joseph “apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after that,” the arrest was a result of the now 14-year-old victim participating in a forensic interview regarding a report of past sexual abuse. Duggar is currently in police custody, but no official extradition has yet been reported.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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Photo Credit: ©Getty Images / Ida Mae Astute / Contributor
Originally published March 19, 2026.
