Jill Duggar Dillard and her family are speaking out following the arrest of her younger brother Joseph Duggar.
If you don’t know, the 31-year-old former 19 Kids & Counting star was arrested on Wednesday (March 18) on child molestation charges involving a nine-year-old girl. The victim is now 14 years old, and the crime is alleged to have happened on a vacation in Florida in 2020.
The following day, Jill, 34, and husband Derick Dillard released a statement on their family blog addressing Joseph‘s arrest.
Keep reading to find out more…“We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother (Joseph Duggar’s) arrest,” they began. “We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph’s arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020. We are shocked and heartbroken.”
“We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved,” Jill and Derick continued. “Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family. We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.”
Jill and Derick then went on to show support for Joseph‘s wife Kendra and their four children.
“We love our sister-in-law, Kendra, and our four nieces and nephews and pray that they feel loved and supported during this time as we cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything,” they concluded.
Joseph‘s arrest comes his older brother Josh Duggar was convicted of receiving and possessing child pornography in 2022. He was first arrested in 2021. Josh, who has maintained his innocence, was ultimately sentenced to 12 years in prison. However, his sentence has since been extended.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
