On March 18, Bay County investigators in Florida were alerted by a detective from the Duggars’ local police department in Arkansas about a “report of past sexual abuse.”
The alleged victim, now 14 years old, participated in a forensic interview with Tontitown Police detectives, during which she recounted multiple incidents supposedly involving Joseph. These events reportedly took place during a family trip to Panama City Beach, Florida, as noted in a statement shared by the department on Facebook.
The incidents are said to have occurred in 2020, with the victim claiming Joseph persistently requested her to “sit on his lap.”
According to the teen, Joseph’s behavior intensified as the vacation continued.
He allegedly invited her to “sit next to him on a couch,” covering them both with a blanket. During this period, Joseph is accused of “manipulating the victim’s underwear and grazing her genitals,” while also rubbing her thighs with his hands.

