’19 Kids and Counting’ Star Joseph Duggar Arrested On Accusations of Molesting a Minor

Joseph Duggar, who starred with his family on TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” was arrested on Wednesday, March 18, and charged with “lewd and lascivious behavior, involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor,” Access Hollywood has learned. The reality star is accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl in 2020 while on vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, according to a statement by the Bay County Sherrif’s office, who noted that they were contacted by the Tontitown Police department in Arkansas after a report of past sexual abuse, with the now 14-year-old victim participating in a forensic interview. “According to the investigation, the incidents took place in 2020 while the family was staying at a residence on Danny Drive. The victim reported Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap. As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket,” the statement claimed in part, adding that Duggar allegedly inappropriately touched the victim on several occasions. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office went on to claim that Duggar “eventually apologized for his actions” and the incidents stopped afterwards. The 31-year-old allegedly admitted his actions to Tontitown detectives and the victim’s father after being confronted by the victim’s father on March 17, 2026, per authorities. He is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County following his arrest in Tontitown. Access Hollywood has reached out to TLC and the Duggar family for comment.