Duggar Cousin Amy King Speaks Out on 'Toxic Cycles' After Family's Second Sex Abuse Arrest

Amy Duggar King says she was 'sickened but not surprised' by cousin Joseph Duggar's arrest, citing a culture of 'silence' in her family

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:48pm

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Amy Duggar King, cousin of the Duggar family, opens up about the 'toxic cycles' and 'culture of silence' she experienced growing up, following the recent arrest of her cousin Joseph Duggar on child molestation charges. This comes over a decade after her other cousin, Josh Duggar, confessed to molesting multiple young girls.

Why it matters

The Duggar family has faced multiple scandals related to sexual abuse, highlighting deeper systemic issues within their fundamentalist Christian community. Amy's candid comments shed light on the damaging environment that enabled these cycles of abuse to continue.

The details

Joseph Duggar was arrested on March 18 and charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior. The charges are in connection with a child sexual abuse case involving a 9-year-old girl in 2020. This comes over a decade after his older brother Josh confessed to molesting multiple young girls, including his sisters Jill and Jessa.

  • Joseph Duggar was arrested on March 18, 2026.
  • Josh Duggar confessed to molesting multiple young girls over a decade ago.

The players

Amy Duggar King

A 39-year-old cousin of the Duggar family who is speaking out about the 'toxic cycles' and 'culture of silence' she experienced growing up in their fundamentalist Christian community.

Joseph Duggar

Amy's cousin who was recently arrested and charged with child molestation in connection with a 2020 case involving a 9-year-old girl.

Josh Duggar

Amy's older cousin who confessed over a decade ago to molesting multiple young girls, including his sisters Jill and Jessa.

Jim Bob Duggar

The patriarch of the Duggar family, who was inspired by the fundamentalist Christian organization IBLP.

Michelle Duggar

The matriarch of the Duggar family, who was also inspired by the IBLP organization.

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What they’re saying

“There's a lot more to the story, and I was just like, 'No.' And that's when I started really questioning what I've been taught for so long, because I was adjacent to the IBLP.”

— Amy Duggar King, Duggar Cousin

“Looking back at all the memories that I have with him and old pictures and just, like, how much fun he was, I was completely shocked that it was Joe.”

— Amy Duggar King, Duggar Cousin

“When I said that I was sickened but not surprised, I mean exactly that. This is devastating, especially knowing that there are children involved. But when I say I'm not surprised, it's because this isn't just an isolated situation. It reflects a deeper systematic issue.”

— Amy Duggar King, Duggar Cousin

What’s next

Joseph Duggar has entered a written plea of not guilty to all charges and is seeking a jury trial. His bond was set at $600,000 and he will face restrictions regarding whom he can be alone with, including his own children, while out on pre-trial release.

The takeaway

Amy Duggar King's candid comments highlight the damaging 'toxic cycles' and 'culture of silence' that enabled multiple sexual abuse scandals to occur within the Duggar family's fundamentalist Christian community, underscoring the need for greater accountability and transparency to protect vulnerable children.