Joseph Duggar, who was arrested for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl, has been hit with additional charges as his wife, Kendra, was also shockingly arrested in Arkansas Friday.
âAs a result of the continuing investigation, additional charges have been filed in this case against Joseph Duggar, 31, and Kendra Duggar, 27,â a release from the Tontitown Police Department read on Friday.
The statement noted that arrest warrants had been issued for each of them on four second degree counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, and four second degree counts of false imprisonment.
Kendra was released from the Washington County Jail a couple hours after her arrest.
Joseph is currently being held in the Washington County Detention Center for a case out of Florida, according to local news outlet KARK.
However, TT Police Department in Arkansas said this separate investigation was launched on the heels of the alleged incident in Florida.
A rep for the Duggars â who married in 2017 and have since welcomed four children â did not immediately return Page Sixâs request for comment on Friday.
TLC star Joseph was arrested in Florida Wednesday and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving a victim younger than the age of 12 and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 or older, per the Bay County Sheriffâs Office.
The victim told authorities she was 9 when she was involved in multiple alleged incidents with Joseph during a Panama City Beach, Fla., family getaway back in 2020.
She claimed the reality star requested that she sit on his lap, and that he allegedly touched her genitals during the getaway.
The victim also alleged that Joseph apologized and stopped the behavior after he rubbed her thighs.
According to the Sheriffâs Office, on Tuesday, ahead of the dramatic arrest, the victimâs father confronted Joseph, who confessed to Tontitown authorities.
Back in the early 2000s, Josh was also infamously accused of sexually abusing five girls, including sisters Jessa and Jill Duggar.
Jill and her husband, Derick Dillard, said they were âshockedâ by Josephâs arrest in a Thursday blog post, but emphasized they support the victim and âstrongly condemn abuse.â
In a statement obtained by People on Friday, cousin and â19 Kids and Countingâ alum Amy Duggar, however, said she was âsickenedâ and âdeeply angryâ about the situation.
âMy first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe, protected and surrounded by people she could trust,â she said in the statement.
âThe courage it took for her to come forward, especially after years of carrying something so heavy, cannot be overstated. That bravery deserves to be honored above all else.â
She also noted in part that sheâs ânot surprised that another alleged predator has emerged from this toxic system.â
