Josh Duggar says ‘false accusations can destroy a life’ as he reacts to brother Joseph’s arrest
WASHINGTON, DC: Josh Duggar has reacted from prison to the arrest of his brother Joseph Duggar through his attorney, saying he “hopes and prays” for him during this difficult time.
According to the Daily Mail, Josh's lawyer said the imprisoned former reality TV star "lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life."
Josh Duggar 'deeply saddened' by brother Joseph Duggar's arrest
The lawyer added that Josh and Joseph are “not in frequent communication,” but Josh is concerned about his brother.
Josh said the charges against his brother Joseph “deeply saddened” him, adding that he “hopes and prays” for Joseph during this difficult time.
He also said he “understands the stigma of being accused.”
His attorney added that he “lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life.”
Josh, who is serving a 12-year prison sentence, further said the charges against his brother “deeply saddened” him.
“He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction,” his attorney said.
However, Josh’s claim that his brother could be facing 'false accusations' conflicts with the authorities’ statement that Joseph admitted to unlawful conduct to both investigators and the accuser’s father.
Joseph's arrest comes just under four years after Josh's scandal
Meanwhile, in the latest development, Joseph Duggar, who shares four children with wife Kendra Duggar, has waived his rights to a hearing over his extradition to Florida, where he faces charges related to an alleged incident in 2020 in Panama City Beach.
Joseph's arrest comes just under four years after Josh was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of receiving illegal material involving children. Josh’s past legal history has drawn significant attention, shining a spotlight on the Duggar family.
Duggar family history
Joseph Duggar’s arrest has generated widespread media attention given the family’s public profile.
The Duggar family rose to prominence through the TLC series '19 Kids and Counting'.
Both brothers, Josh and Joseph, were stars on the show that ran for roughly seven years. It followed the lives of Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar along with their nine daughters and ten sons, whose names all start with 'J'.
In fact, the Duggar family's TLC reality show was canceled in 2015 after allegations about Josh first emerged.
Josh, the eldest child of the family, was born March 3, 1988. He became a conservative activist, campaigning for the Family Research Council.
His wife, Anna Duggar, whom he married in a September 26, 2008, ceremony featured on '19 Kids and Counting,' has remained supportive, including after he admitted to being unfaithful.
When he checked into a treatment center in 2016, his parents called it “a crucial first step in recovering and healing.”
Josh is scheduled to be released in October 2032, after which he'll spend 20 years on supervised release.
Joseph Duggar, the seventh child, was born on January 20, 1995. He proposed to Kendra, whom he met through church, at his sister Joy-Anna’s wedding in May 2017 after a brief courtship.
