Who is Joseph Duggar? Former reality TV star accused of child molestation

Joseph Duggar, a former reality television personality known for appearing on TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting, has been charged with child molestation in Florida, authorities said.

Duggar, 31, faces charges of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 years old and lewd and lascivious conduct by a person 18 years or older, according to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The charges relate to an alleged incident involving a 9-year-old girl during a family vacation in Panama City Beach in 2020.

He was arrested on March 18 in Washington County, Arkansas, and is awaiting extradition to Bay County, Florida.

According to investigators, the alleged abuse began when Duggar asked the child 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,” the sheriff’s office said.

“The victim stated Duggar eventually apologised for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology,” authorities added.

The case surfaced after the victim, now 14, took part in a forensic interview regarding past abuse. Her father later confronted Duggar, who “allegedly admitted his actions to the father and Tontitown detectives,” the sheriff’s office said.

Duggar rose to prominence through 19 Kids and Counting, a reality show that documented his large family.

Duggar’s arrest comes nearly five years after his brother, Josh Duggar, was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison in a separate case involving child sexual abuse materials, drawing renewed scrutiny to the family.