Joseph Duggar, aged 31, has formally entered a plea in his ongoing child molestation case following his extradition to Florida. Records obtained by Us Weekly confirmed that Duggar submitted a written plea of not guilty on Sunday, March 29, and requested a trial by jury.

Extradition and Custody Confirmation

The Bay County Jail verified on Tuesday, March 31, that Joseph Duggar was officially in custody within Florida. Duggar was initially apprehended in Arkansas facing serious allegations.

Charges Filed Against Joseph Duggar

The initial charges stemming from his Arkansas arrest involved lewd and lascivious behavior concerning the molestation of a victim under the age of 12. Furthermore, he was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior committed by someone aged 18 or older.

Following his arrest on March 18, four additional counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment were added to his list of charges. Joseph Duggar is accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl during a trip to Florida back in 2020.

Kendra Duggar's Separate Arrest and Release

Joseph's wife, Kendra Duggar, was also arrested on similar charges but was subsequently released after posting a $1,470 bond. A source provided exclusive details to Us Weekly, stating that Kendra’s arrest was entirely unrelated to her husband’s case in Florida.

The source explained the circumstances surrounding Kendra’s brief detention. “After his charge, they automatically do a home study if minors live there,” the source revealed. “Apparently, they had two rooms where the lock of the doorknob was on the outside instead of inside. They arrested her and took her kids for that, saying it’s evidence that she wrongly detains her kids.”

Family Reactions to the Allegations

While Joseph Duggar has maintained silence outside of his official plea, several members of his family have publicly addressed the situation.

Jill Duggar's Statement

Jill Duggar issued a statement earlier this month via her blog, expressing shock. “We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother arrest,” she wrote. She noted they learned about the charges via a text from a friend regarding media reports of Joseph’s arrest and his alleged 2020 confession.

Jill’s statement continued with a strong condemnation of abuse. “We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved,” the message stated. The family expressed deep sympathy for the victim, adding, “Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family.”

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Respond

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar broke their silence on Monday, March 30, issuing a statement to Us Weekly. They expressed profound distress over the ongoing events. “Jim Bob and Michelle are heartbroken over this entire situation,” they shared.

The parents stated their current focus is on supporting their family. “Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time. They are praying for the victim,” the statement concluded. They also requested privacy from the public.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.