FL - Second Duggar Son Joseph Garrett Duggar, 31, Arrested for Crimes Against a Minor, 18 March 2026

[Vaderman]

This family is gross.

 

[tlcya]

MOO Michelle and Jim Bob ultimately created this mess. By having 19 children and then ceding the raising of their younger children to their older ones they created a situation where they kept popping out victims to then grow up and become perpetrators over and over. Apparently chastity only counts with people outside the family, otherwise, it's nobody's business what happens within the family. It's gross and depraved.

 

[TMich6811]

MOO Michelle and Jim Bob ultimately created this mess. By having 19 children and then ceding the raising of their younger children to their older ones they created a situation where they kept popping out victims to then grow up and become perpetrators over and over. Apparently chastity only counts with people outside the family, otherwise, it's nobody's business what happens within the family. It's gross and depraved.

and probably directly caused some of it imo

 

[anneoakley63]

I am really having a hard time controlling my emotions on this one. This happened in 2020, so why is it just now coming out? (Not victim blaming, just trying to put together a time line) He's now had access to an uncountable number of little girls in the last 6 years. This family is turning out to be monsters.....and it makes me question how many others there are that haven't been outed yet.

Over the past few years, we've seen more and more "church" people being charge with sex crimes. That is very concerning, especially with the way they push for memberships and attendance. And this, along with my own personal experience, is why I no longer attend church.

I have ZERO sympathy for anyone who abuses a child!

Looking at the churches website, it reminds me of The Way International, another cult. (But that's a conversation for another thread)
EBM

 

[TMich6811]

I am really having a hard time controlling my emotions on this one. This happened in 2020, so why is it just now coming out? (Not victim blaming, just trying to put together a time line) He's now had access to an uncountable number of little girls in the last 6 years. This family is turning out to be monsters.....and it makes me question how many others there are that haven't been outed yet.

Over the past few years, we've seen more and more "church" people being charge with sex crimes. That is very concerning, especially with the way they push for memberships and attendance. And this, along with my own personal experience, is why I no longer attend church.

I have ZERO sympathy for anyone who abuses a child!

Looking at the churches website, it reminds me of The Way International, another cult. (But that's a conversation for another thread)
EBM

Statistics will be something to watch for sure with church info as it comes out.

I’m not sure if it’s more church people or just more people in general due to the internet’s ability to cause depravity and numbing/needing to up it to get same feelings. IMO we are creating monsters and seemingly okay with it.

Probs not related in this case because I think this was a generational abuse / cult like situation

 

[iamshadow21]

Statistics will be something to watch for sure with church info as it comes out.

I’m not sure if it’s more church people or just more people in general due to the internet’s ability to cause depravity and numbing/needing to up it to get same feelings. IMO we are creating monsters and seemingly okay with it.

Probs not related in this case because I think this was a generational abuse / cult like situation

More church abusers are being publicly named and shamed. That's because institutions are less able to hide their dirty secrets than they were even twenty years ago. Used to be, they'd just send the priest to the next parish over, and play musical chairs with millions of children's lives. Now, at least some go to prison.

Child abuse and intense religious communities do intersect, especially in faiths where there is gender power imbalance and strict obedience and reverence of adults expected of children.

You create a situation where all males are powerful and powerful men are basically god on earth, then you're creating a petri dish for kids to be abused and not have any way of feeling they can disclose, if they even understand that what is happening to them is abusive. Paederasts gravitate to environments where they can take their pick. Schools, sports teams, scouting and guiding groups, religious communities and cults, and families where the dynamic for abuse is just right. Yes, women can be sexual abusers too, absolutely, but so often the dynamic in a family is - dominant father, uncle or grandfather paederast, mother in denial or permissive or facilitating abuse, siblings often all victims of abuse to some degree but also can be abusers in their own right.

The dynamic in this family is blurred where the generations are concerned because of the broad age difference and that older children were parenting younger ones. But that two children are now charged with child sex abuse suggests a broader, endemic problem with the family culture as a whole.

MOO

 

[gitana1]

I know darned well that they knew exactly what the first son was up to! This wouldn't surprise me either.

I just hope that the nature of the relationship with the then-9-year-old isn't revealed without her permission (Not her parents, but HER) because it could identify her.

Yeah. For those of us familiar with the Duggars and Duggar-adjacent families, it is not hard to figure out. So hopefully, any information leading to the identity will be tightly censored.

 

[gitana1]

There is no end of depravity with this family. I have a feeling that the known scandals are only scratching the surface.

https://people.com/joseph-duggar-charged-with-allegedly-molesting-9-year-old-girl-in-2020-11929539?hid=58054e4bb804a04f39e01e45ea4cb8c9ae0d7bd4&did=22575114-20260318&utm_source=ppl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ppl-breaking-news_newsletter&utm_content=031826&lctg=58054e4bb804a04f39e01e45ea4cb8c9ae0d7bd4&lr_input=f7f340267b8aaf19ceb83f1584c6456507b95e99015d8ce4d7394aba4921dece&campaign=17339702#comments

They are Independent Fundamentalist Baptists and like in all, strict religious patriarchies, (as multiple studies show) all sorts of sexual abuse, sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence is rampant.

This is likely because there is a dual obsession about sex/the body and purity/pollution. These groups tend to view sex and the body as dirty or sinful outside of very specific circumstances. So natural and appropriate desires and feelings are severely repressed.

At the same time, women and children are seen as less than, with no will of their own, and they are trained to be submissive to adult males.

This creates an environment rife for abuse.

The connections the Duggar family has, supports this. They were members of ATI/IBLP, which many liken to a cult. That group was headed by Bill Gothard who taught that women/girls who are abused, need to forgive and reflect on how they encouraged the abuse. He was later accused of sexual misconduct with several young women/teens who worked for him and he was forced to step down.

The family was also super good friends with Vison Forum founder Doug Phillips (who taught the Stay at Home Daughter movement). That man was later accused by a family nanny of sexual assault/abuse starting as a teen.

The family were informed about Josh Duggar’s abuse of young girls, at least, twice. The first time, they took no real action. The second time they found out, they sent him to do hard labor for…Bill Gothard. That lasted for months. At the end of that, he was taken to speak to a law enforcement friend of theirs, to be scared straight. (The Duggars claim this was “reporting” the abuse). That man is currently serving 50 years in I believe Tennessee state prison for possession of child abuse images.

Such a twisted mess.

I will provide links to all upon request but it may take a while!!

 

[gitana1]

More church abusers are being publicly named and shamed. That's because institutions are less able to hide their dirty secrets than they were even twenty years ago. Used to be, they'd just send the priest to the next parish over, and play musical chairs with millions of children's lives. Now, at least some go to prison.

Child abuse and intense religious communities do intersect, especially in faiths where there is gender power imbalance and strict obedience and reverence of adults expected of children.

You create a situation where all males are powerful and powerful men are basically god on earth, then you're creating a petri dish for kids to be abused and not have any way of feeling they can disclose, if they even understand that what is happening to them is abusive. Paederasts gravitate to environments where they can take their pick. Schools, sports teams, scouting and guiding groups, religious communities and cults, and families where the dynamic for abuse is just right. Yes, women can be sexual abusers too, absolutely, but so often the dynamic in a family is - dominant father, uncle or grandfather paederast, mother in denial or permissive or facilitating abuse, siblings often all victims of abuse to some degree but also can be abusers in their own right.

The dynamic in this family is blurred where the generations are concerned because of the broad age difference and that older children were parenting younger ones. But that two children are now charged with child sex abuse suggests a broader, endemic problem with the family culture as a whole.

MOO

Bingo.

 

[whymoi]

Yeah. For those of us familiar with the Duggars and Duggar-adjacent families, it is not hard to figure out. So hopefully, any information leading to the identity will be tightly censored.

Unfortunately, on some sites the identity of the victim has been shared.

 

[mickey2942]

Normally, I would be more open minded, but in this case, the perpetrator admitted to the act during questioning. I wonder if he had his rights read to him before that admission? I can't believe he didn't wait to speak with an attorney.

 

[gitana1]

Unfortunately, on some sites the identity of the victim has been shared.

Oh man.

 

[dotr]

Last Updated: 1 hour ago

https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/joseph-duggar-arrested-9.7134777

'Joseph Duggar appears in a mug shot dated March 18, 2026. The former star of 19 Kids and Counting was arrested and charged for lewd and lascivious behaviour involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor, authorities said. (Washington County Sheriff's Office)'

''According to a statement from the Bay County Sheriff's Office, Duggar's charges relate to a 2020 incident in Florida. They state that in a March 2026 forensic interview, a 14-year-old girl alleged that Duggar molested her during a family vacation to Panama City Beach, Fla., when she was 9-years-old.
Duggar was arrested on Wednesday in Tontitown, Ark., where 19 Kids and Counting was filmed.''

 

[Serononin]

They are Independent Fundamentalist Baptists and like in all, strict religious patriarchies, (as multiple studies show) all sorts of sexual abuse, sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence is rampant.

This is likely because there is a dual obsession about sex/the body and purity/pollution. These groups tend to view sex and the body as dirty or sinful outside of very specific circumstances. So natural and appropriate desires and feelings are severely repressed.

At the same time, women and children are seen as less than, with no will of their own, and they are trained to be submissive to adult males.

This creates an environment rife for abuse.

The connections the Duggar family has, supports this. They were members of ATI/IBLP, which many liken to a cult. That group was headed by Bill Gothard who taught that women/girls who are abused, need to forgive and reflect on how they encouraged the abuse. He was later accused of sexual misconduct with several young women/teens who worked for him and he was forced to step down.

The family was also super good friends with Vison Forum founder Doug Phillips (who taught the Stay at Home Daughter movement). That man was later accused by a family nanny of sexual assault/abuse starting as a teen.

The family were informed about Josh Duggar’s abuse of young girls, at least, twice. The first time, they took no real action. The second time they found out, they sent him to do hard labor for…Bill Gothard. That lasted for months. At the end of that, he was taken to speak to a law enforcement friend of theirs, to be scared straight. (The Duggars claim this was “reporting” the abuse). That man is currently serving 50 years in I believe Tennessee state prison for possession of child abuse images.

Such a twisted mess.

I will provide links to all upon request but it may take a while!!

I'll never forget when the first revelations about Josh came out, and Jim Bob Duggar went on the record to essentially say that it wasn't a big deal because it happens in a lot of families...

 

[Serononin]

Unfortunately, on some sites the identity of the victim has been shared.

I wish the police hadn't been so specific with announcing when and where the offense took place. It's not difficult to figure out which (televised!) family vacation is being referred to, or who else was there with them.

I really hope that girl is getting the support she needs right now. She's incredibly brave for coming forward!!

 

[K9Enzo]

I am really having a hard time controlling my emotions on this one. This happened in 2020, so why is it just now coming out? (Not victim blaming, just trying to put together a time line) He's now had access to an uncountable number of little girls in the last 6 years. This family is turning out to be monsters.....and it makes me question how many others there are that haven't been outed yet.

Over the past few years, we've seen more and more "church" people being charge with sex crimes. That is very concerning, especially with the way they push for memberships and attendance. And this, along with my own personal experience, is why I no longer attend church.

I have ZERO sympathy for anyone who abuses a child!

Looking at the churches website, it reminds me of The Way International, another cult. (But that's a conversation for another thread)
EBM

On Wednesday, a 14-year-old contacted police about several incidents involving Duggar during a 2020 family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, when she was nine-years-old, police said.

Police added that the victim's father confronted Duggar about the incidents the day before his arrest, and Duggar admitted his actions to the father and to police in Tontitown.

Joseph Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting accused of molesting child


The victim, reportedly 9 at the time, just reported the incidents this week. I am not qualified to speak on sex abuse crimes involving children but I imagine not saying something initially (if ever sadly) is more common than we think. I cannot even imagine a young child trying to understand and sort out in their minds what the F was happening to them. The horror.

This is just stomach turning. I remember following Josh's case on here.

Random comment. I met Michelle Duggar in line years ago in an airport. She was on a book tour. That's what she told me. My dog sparked the conversation. She was so nice to me. I thought of her immediately seeing this vile news. IMO

 

[Toniab329]

These groups tend to view sex and the body as dirty or sinful outside of very specific circumstance

I read somewhere--possibly also on Reddit--"this is what happens when you preach that m*sturbation (sorry, don't know if that word is advertiser-censored ) is worse than molesting your own sister.

 

[gitana1]

I'll never forget when the first revelations about Josh came out, and Jim Bob Duggar went on the record to essentially say that it wasn't a big deal because it happens in a lot of families...

Yup. Which is what Gothard preached.

 

[gitana1]

I read somewhere--possibly also on Reddit--"this is what happens when you preach that m*sturbation (sorry, don't know if that word is advertiser-censored ) is worse than molesting your own sister.

Isn’t that crazy? I think all the obsession and repression causes sexual dysfunction.

 

[AmicusVeritas]

Normally, I would be more open minded, but in this case, the perpetrator admitted to the act during questioning. I wonder if he had his rights read to him before that admission? I can't believe he didn't wait to speak with an attorney.

I'm extremely interested in how this plays out regarding the confession, whatever it entailed. Will they try to suppress it? If he admitted to the acts to the dad first without a detective present, then I think that admission could potentially be used in some way outside of any conversation about whether or not he was correctly Mirandaized or anything like that. Haven't looked into the statutes yet, so this is MOO.