Former reality TV personality arrested in Arkansas on child sex abuse allegation

Joseph Garrett Duggar, a former cast member of 19 Kids and Counting, has been arrested and accused of molesting a child, according to authorities.The Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced Duggar, 31, was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving a 14-year-old female. Investigators said the alleged incidents occurred in 2020 when the victim was nine years old during a family vacation in Panama City Beach.

Authorities said the allegations were disclosed during a forensic interview, with multiple incidents described, including inappropriate physical contact. The sheriff’s office reported Duggar later apologized to the child and no additional incidents were reported.

Officials said the victim’s father confronted Duggar March 17. Law enforcement reported Duggar admitted to the conduct while in Tontitown. He was arrested by the Tontitown Police Department and is expected to be extradited to Bay County to face the charge.

Duggar’s arrest follows prior legal issues involving his brother, Josh Duggar, who was convicted in 2021 on child pornography charges and later sentenced to more than 12 years in prison.

The Duggar family rose to prominence through their TLC series, which was canceled in 2015 following allegations involving Josh Duggar. A spinoff series, Counting On, later aired but was canceled in 2021.

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