Reality TV Star Joseph Duggar Faces Child Molestation Charges in Florida

Former 19 Kids and Counting star Joseph Duggar, 31, posted a $600,000 bond Tuesday and returned to Arkansas after appearing in a Florida court on charges of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12.

Duggar was arrested March 18 in Tontitown, Arkansas, after a 14-year-old girl told police he had molested her repeatedly during a 2020 family trip to Panama City Beach when she was 9. Her father confronted Duggar, who allegedly admitted to the abuse — and confirmed it again when police had the father call him with a detective listening in.

A judge barred Duggar from unsupervised contact with anyone under 18. Separately, Arkansas authorities charged Duggar and his wife Kendra with four counts each of endangering a minor’s welfare and false imprisonment. His attorney said the goal is ensuring Duggar receives fair treatment despite his celebrity status.

Duggar’s older brother Josh was convicted in 2022 of downloading child sexual abuse material and sentenced to 12½ years in prison. TLC canceled 19 Kids and Counting in 2015 following earlier abuse allegations against Josh.