Former reality TV star Joseph Duggar is facing a child molestation charge in Florida, almost five years after his brother Josh, who also starred in the TLC show “19 Kids and Counting,” was convicted of downloading child sexual abuse images.
Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested in Arkansas, where he lives, and is awaiting extradition to Florida. He is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior on a child under 12 years old, according to an arrest affidavit.
Police in Arkansas contacted the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Florida after interviewing a 14-year-old girl who alleged Duggar molested her several times during a family trip when she was 9. The girl's father confronted Duggar, who reportedly admitted to the abuse.
There was no online court record indicating whether Duggar has an attorney. The Tontitown Police Department stated that the investigation remains open.
TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” series followed the lives of the devoutly religious Duggar family, known for their large number of children. The show was canceled in 2015 after allegations surfaced against Josh Duggar, leading to a conviction and a 12.5-year prison sentence.
