Trending Now - Joseph Duggar Faces Court Over Child Abuse Charges in Florida
WHO:
Joseph Duggar, 31, former reality TV star of "19 Kids and Counting"
Bay County Sheriff's Office in Panama City, Florida
Tontitown Police Department, Arkansas
Jill Duggar Dillard, Joseph Duggar's sister
WHAT:
Joseph Duggar waived his right to an extradition hearing in Arkansas
Duggar is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior on a child under 12 years old
Duggar was arrested on March 19th, 2026
Authorities in Bay County, Florida, have 30 days to transfer Duggar from Washington County, Arkansas
A 14-year-old girl reported that Duggar molested her several times during a family trip to Panama City Beach when she was age 9
Duggar admitted to the abuse during a confrontation with the child's father
WHERE:
Tontitown, Arkansas
Panama City Beach, Florida
Washington County, Arkansas
Bay County, Florida
WHEN:
Duggar was arrested on March 19th, 2026
The investigation remains open as of March 20th, 2026
Duggar's brother, Josh Duggar, was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to about 12 1/2 years in prison
WHY:
The charges stem from allegations of child molestation reported by a 14-year-old girl
HOW:
The Tontitown police contacted sheriff's deputies in Florida after interviewing the victim
The child's father confronted Duggar, who admitted to the actions during a phone call with a detective present
(UPDATED March 20, 2026 23:10 UTC)
Joseph Duggar, a 31-year-old former reality TV star known for "19 Kids and Counting," was arrested on March 19, 2026, and is facing charges of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a child under 12 years old. The allegations stem from a report by a 14-year-old girl who claims Duggar molested her multiple times during a family trip to Panama City Beach when she was just 9, and he reportedly admitted to the abuse during a confrontation with the child's father. As of today, the investigation remains open, and authorities in Bay County, Florida, have 30 days to transfer Duggar from Washington County, Arkansas.