Jill Duggar finds solace in her family after her brother Joseph Duggar was arrested on allegations of sexual misconduct involving a child.
“So thankful for some extra family time at the beach over spring break,” wrote Jill, 34, on Instagram on Saturday, March 28. She shared photos with her husband Derick Dillard and their three sons, adding, “God knew this week away was exactly what we’d need when we planned it months ago.”
Jill and Dillard, 37, had planned a trip to Orange Beach, Alabama with their children before Joseph’s March 18 arrest in Arkansas on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior related to child molestation accusations from 2020. The victim, who was 9 at the time and is now 14, reported that Joseph “eventually apologized for his actions” before the incidents ceased.
Joseph has not entered a plea and is currently awaiting extradition to Florida, where the alleged assault occurred.
Us Weekly reported two days later that Joseph also faces four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment. Joseph’s wife, Kendra Duggar, was arrested on the same charges and released on bond shortly after. Joseph and Kendra, 27, have been married since 2017 and have four children together.
“Thank y’all for the love and prayers during this difficult time of heartbreak and continued processing,” Jill shared in her Saturday post, referencing a Bible verse from Lamentations: “‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.'”
Jill first addressed Joseph’s arrest on March 19.
“We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother [Joseph Duggar’s] arrest,” Jill and Dillard stated jointly. “We first learned about his charges yesterday through a text from a friend who informed us about recent media reports of Joseph’s arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020. We are shocked and heartbroken.”
They continued, “We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved. Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family. We pray God gives her strength, comfort, and hope, and that she receives the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.”
Jill and Dillard also extended their support to Kendra and her children during this challenging period.
“We love our sister-in-law, Kendra, and our four nieces and nephews and pray that they feel loved and supported during this time,” Jill’s statement concluded. “We cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
