Duggar Bombshell: Kendra Duggar Walks Free Hours After Arrest in Explosive Child Endangerment Case

Duggar Bombshell: Kendra Duggar Walks Free Hours After Arrest in Explosive Child Endangerment Case

The couple faces charges in relation to an incident that allegedly took place in 2020, when Joseph is accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl while on vacation

Kendra Duggar mugshot. Arkansas, AK Kendra Duggar seen leaving jail after she was arrested for allegedly endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment. Her husband, Joesph Duggar, got arrested on charges of child molestation.
Kendra Duggar’s mugshot, Kendra Duggar leaving jail on March 20.Credit : Washington County Sheriffs Department; Shabba / BACKGRID

NEED TO KNOW

  • Kendra Duggar was photographed leaving jail on Friday, March 20
  • Her departure took place hours after she was charged alongside her husband, Joseph Duggar, in relation to an ongoing investigation surrounding child endangerment claims
  • Both Kendra and Joseph are facing four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and four counts of false imprisonment in the second degree

Kendra Duggar was photographed leaving jail, hours after she was charged alongside her husband, Joseph Duggar, in relation to an ongoing investigation surrounding child endangerment claims.

Both Kendra, 27, and Joseph, 31, are facing four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and four counts of false imprisonment in the second degree, the Tontitown Police Department (TPD) said in a news release.

Kendra was arrested and booked into the Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Ark., at 4:56 p.m. local time on Friday, March 20. She was released shortly after at 6:19 p.m., according to jail records viewed by PEOPLE, which show she posted a $1,470 bond.

After her release, Kendra was photographed in a car outside the Washington County Detention Center.

She is next scheduled to attend a hearing on Monday, March 23, at 7:45 a.m. She will then be due in court again on April 29 at 2:00 p.m.

Arkansas, AK Kendra Duggar seen leaving jail after she was arrested for allegedly endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment. Her husband, Joesph Duggar, got arrested on charges of child molestation.
Kendra Duggar leaving jail on March 20.Shabba / BACKGRID

Kendra’s arrest and subsequent criminal charges came after those of her husband, to whom she’s been married since 2017.

Charges against Joseph were filed by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) on March 18, after authorities learned about an incident that allegedly took place in 2020, in which the former reality star is accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl while vacationing with her family in Panama City Beach, Fla.

According to the BCSO, the girl claimed Joseph engaged in “unlawful sexual activity” after asking her to sit on his lap, and later next to him under a blanket, where he allegedly touched her inappropriately. Joseph had been asked about the girl’s accusations by her father on the night of March 17 and allegedly confessed at that time, according to a statement from the BCSO.

“As the vacation continued, he also asked her to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket. During this time, Joseph manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals. He would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs,” the statement from authorities read. “The victim stated Duggar eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology.”

Joseph and Kendra Duggar mugshots
Joseph Duggar’s mugshot, Kendra Duggar’s mugshot.Washington County Sheriff’s Department

Joseph was arrested in Arkansas, where he resides, but the case is being handled in Florida, where the alleged incidents occurred. He must be extradited to Bay County to face charges there.

He was initially facing charges including lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older, but now he, and his wife, face the same multiple charges.

In a statement, the TPD said, “This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Arkansas law strictly limits the information that may be released in cases involving minors and other sensitive circumstances. To protect the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of those involved, no further details will be provided at this time.”

Joseph, a father of four, previously starred in 19 Kids and Counting alongside his famous family, as well as three other iterations of their TLC reality series franchise.

His oldest brother, Josh Duggar, was convicted by a federal grand jury in 2021 of receiving and possessing material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct after investigators discovered such material on his work computer at a used car dealership he operated. Josh, 38, is now serving a 12-year sentence in a Texas prison.

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