Joseph Duggar's Unexpected Courtroom Twist: What It Means for His Family
Joseph Duggar was granted supervised visitation with his kids during a court hearing regarding his child molestation case.
Judge Brantley S. Clark ruled that the “19 Kids and Counting” alum can have supervised contact with his and Kendra Duggar’s four kids during a virtual appearance in a Bay County, Florida, courtroom Tuesday, Us Weekly reported.
The reality TV star has not been able to see his children since he was arrested on molestation charges in March.
His attorney, Albert Sauline, argued that the language in a previous motion banning him from contact with minors made it so he couldn’t see his kids. The attorney reportedly claimed it was “a little unusual” for Joseph to be prohibited from seeing his kids when they are not the alleged victims in the case.
Joseph, 31 also requested to amend a motion banning him from being within 500 feet of the alleged victim’s former Florida home, because he said the ban interferes with his ability to do his work as a landlord in the area. However, the request was denied with the judge saying an employee can take on his responsibilities in that vicinity.
His next court date is scheduled for July 14.
In March, the TLC personality was arrested out of state after being accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl in Florida.
He was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving a victim younger than the age of 12, as well as lewd and lascivious behavior toward a victim age 18 or older.
Joseph was subsequently booked at the Washington County Correctional Facility in Arkansas. In a mugshot obtained by Page Six on March 19, Joseph appeared disheveled after his arrest.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the “Counting On” star was accused by a minor, who is now 14, of grooming and sexual assault.
The suspected victim told investigators that Joseph repeatedly “grazed [her] vagina” with his hand during a 2020 family vacation. The accuser would also allegedly “sit on the defendant’s lap” and he would “cradle [her] with his arms,” the affidavit states
The alleged sexual assault incidents occurred “several times,” according to the alleged victim. The incidents “stopped occurring,” however, after Joseph allegedly “approached the victim” during the getaway and “apologized for his action,” the affidavit states.
Days after Joseph’s arrest, Kendra was arrested in Arkansas on March 20 and charged with four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment. Joseph was also hit with the same charges.
Page Six obtained footage of Kendra getting a pat-down while being booked in jail shortly after she was released.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.