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Amy Duggar King has become one of the most vocal critics of cousin Joseph Duggar after his arrest on child molestation charges.
Joseph was arrested on March 18, 2026, for unlawful sexual activity with a minor after a 14-year-old girl accused the Counting On alum of molesting her in Florida in 2020. The victim told police that Joseph “eventually apologized for his actions” at the time and “the incidents stopped.”
Amy, for her part, told Us Weekly in a statement that she was “sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry” about the allegations.
“My first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe, protected and surrounded by people she could trust,” she said at the time. “The courage it took for her to come forward, especially after years of carrying something so heavy, cannot be overstated.”
Two days after Joseph’s arrest, his wife, Kendra Duggar, was arrested on four counts of child endangerment that were unrelated to his misconduct allegations. She was released on bond on March 20, 2026. Two weeks later, Joseph was extradited to Florida, where the alleged crime took place, and entered a not guilty plea. He was released on $600,000 bail.
Keep scrolling for more of Amy’s comments about Joseph’s arrest scandal:
Amy Duggar Reacts to Kendra Duggar’s Arrest
Two days after Joseph Duggar’s arrest, his wife, Kendra Duggar, was also arrested. Both Joseph and Kendra are facing four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, second degree, and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment. Kendra was released the same day on a $1,470 bond.
An insider with knowledge of the case exclusively told Us that Kendra’s arrest “has nothing to do with Joseph’s” child molestation case, and instead was the result of a subsequent home investigation.
Amy Duggar King had initially expressed prayers for Kendra, but later reversed course after her cousin-in-law’s arrest.
“I think that was a plot twist that no one saw coming,” Amy told TMZ. “When I gave that [first] statement … that was just the information I was given at the time and thought to be true. Now that the information has changed and there’s more that is coming out and there’s a lot of question marks right now.”
When Amy Duggar Last Spoke to Joseph Duggar
Joseph Duggar. Courtesy of TLC/ YouTube
In an Instagram post, Amy Duggar King revealed she hadn’t “seen or heard” from Joseph Duggar in “about five years.”
“That doesn’t mean I didn’t still love him and want the best for him,” Amy wrote via her Instagram Stories in March 2026. “I don’t think people understand how much time I spent with them and countless hours filming. I grew up over there [at his parents’ house].”
She added, “I didn’t know Kendra extremely well, but I thought they made an adorable couple. I went to a ski resort with them once and shopped a little with Kendra. [She was] very sweet natured, and [I] just loved her.”
After Amy found out about Joseph’s arrest, she said that she texted Kendra.
“No response back,” she claimed. “That was before I knew anything of her being arrested.”
Amy Duggar Offers Support for Joseph Duggar’s Kids
Amy Duggar King shared an Instagram statement in March 2026, revealing that she has “no idea” where Joseph and Kendra’s four children are upon her cousins’ arrests.
“I just hope and pray they are being well taken care of and someone is holding them tight and that they are safe,” she wrote at the time. “Sadly, I’ve never met them, they do not know me. So l’d be a stranger to them.”
Amy Duggar Feels ‘Emotionally Exhausted’
Amy Duggar King initially took a break from social media after learning of Joseph Duggar’s arrest.
“Hey TikTok, it’s been a minute. I’ve taken a minute from videos and whatnot because I literally don’t even know what to say,” she said in a March 26, 2026, TikTok video. “I feel emotionally exhausted from all of this. It’s not about me, I know it’s not … but my heart hurts. I know I’m not the only one.”
She continued, “Joe was the last person that I expected. We’re all wanting answers right now. … He’s behind bars tonight. I cannot comprehend that.”
Multiple members of the Duggar family have reacted to Joseph Duggar’s arrest on child molestation charges. Joseph, who rose to fame alongside his family on the reality series 19 Kids and Counting, was taken into custody after being accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl while on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, in […]
Amy Duggar Slams Joseph Duggar’s Jail Calls
After audio of Joseph Duggar’s phone calls from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas was released, Amy Duggar King offered pointed criticism.
At one point, Joseph told wife Kendra Duggar that he’d been “spending a lot of time reading, uh, reading the Bible” while in solitary confinement.
“The bible is not a PR strategy,” Amy responded in an Instagram post. “You can read scripture day and night, all the time, and still avoid the truth.”
When Joseph complained about lack of sleep in jail in a separate conversation, Amy responded bluntly, “Nobody cares. I bet the victim hasn’t slept in five years.”
Amy also criticized Joseph for calling Kendra “competent” during another call, saying in a TikTok video, “Last time I checked, marriage isn’t a performance review and she’s not your employee.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
