Convicted Predator Josh Duggar ‘Deeply Saddened’ About Brother Joseph Being Accused of Child Abuse

Convicted sex offender Josh Duggar is speaking out after his brother Joseph Duggar was arrested for allegations of child molestation.

“Josh understands the stigma of being accused,” Josh’s attorney said in a statement to Daily Mail on Friday, March 20. “He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.”

According to the outlet, Josh, 38, was “deeply saddened” to learn of his younger brother’s allegations, with the attorney noting the pair “are not in frequent communication,” however Josh “hopes and prays for his brother’s well being in this difficult time.”

The disgraced reality star is currently serving his 12-year prison sentence after being found guilty of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material in 2021.

Meanwhile, Joseph, 31, was arrested Wednesday on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior, involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor. He is accused of touching a 9-year-old girl multiple times during a family trip to Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2020.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office revealed that a now-14-year-old girl came forward with claims that the 19 Kids and Counting star “manipulated [her] underwear and grazed her genitals.”

Joseph — who shares four children with his wife, Kendra Duggar — reportedly admitted to the crime after being confronted by the girl’s father on Tuesday, March 17.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s seventh child is currently being held in Washington County, Arkansas, awaiting extradition to Florida.