Duggar Family Speaks Out After Joseph Duggar's Arrest

Kendra Duggar's parents, the Caldwells, express support for alleged victim and grandchildren

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:22am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a broken toy, its details sharply illuminated by a harsh flash against a dark background, conceptually representing the trauma and aftermath of the alleged abuse within the Duggar family.The Duggar family scandal exposes the harsh realities of alleged abuse within a prominent conservative Christian clan.Los Angeles Today

The Caldwell family, whose daughter Kendra is married to Joseph Duggar, has spoken out publicly for the first time since Joseph's arrest last month for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl in 2020. The Caldwells expressed their love and support for the now 14-year-old victim, as well as for their grandchildren and their daughter Kendra. Other members of the Duggar family, including Joseph's parents Jim Bob and Michelle, and his siblings Jill, Jana, Jason, Joy-Anna, Jinger, and cousin Amy, have also issued statements condemning the alleged actions and expressing shock and heartbreak over the situation.

Why it matters

The Duggar family, known for their reality TV show '19 Kids and Counting,' has long been associated with conservative Christian values and a focus on family. This scandal involving Joseph Duggar's alleged sexual abuse of a minor has rocked the family and raised questions about the culture and dynamics within the Duggar household. The Caldwell family's public statement of support for the victim and their grandchildren highlights the complex emotional and familial fallout from this case.

The details

Joseph Duggar, who married Kendra Caldwell in 2017, was arrested last month for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl during a family vacation in 2020. The victim, now 14 years old, has been praised by the Caldwells for her courage in coming forward. In the wake of Joseph's arrest, his wife Kendra has been charged with child endangerment and false imprisonment, and their four young children have been separated from her. The Caldwells expressed their devastation over the alleged actions and their continued love and support for their grandchildren and daughter Kendra.

  • Joseph Duggar was arrested on March 18, 2026.
  • Kendra Duggar was charged with child endangerment and false imprisonment two days after her husband's arrest.
  • The Caldwells issued their public statement on April 15, 2026.

The players

Paul Caldwell

Kendra Duggar's father and the patriarch of the Caldwell family.

Christina Caldwell

Kendra Duggar's mother and the matriarch of the Caldwell family.

Kendra Duggar

The daughter of the Caldwell family who is married to Joseph Duggar.

Joseph Duggar

A member of the Duggar family who was arrested for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl in 2020.

Anna Duggar

Joseph Duggar's sister-in-law, who shared updates about the children being separated from Kendra while Joseph was in jail.

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What they’re saying

“Our family is both troubled and heartbroken over the alleged actions committed by our son-in-law. We are devastated for the young girl, a child who was courageous in every way to share her truth. We stand by her, both in support and prayer, and forever will.”

— Paul Caldwell and Christina Caldwell, Kendra Duggar's parents

“Just know that everybody loves you—even if they're disappointed. Just understand that they love you, too.”

— Kendra Duggar

“Every time I look up the staircase I melt into a puddle, so we've decided to take it one day at a time, one moment at a time.”

— Kendra Duggar

What’s next

The judge in Joseph Duggar's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him to remain out on $600,000 bail.

The takeaway

This case has shaken the Duggar family and their close-knit community, raising difficult questions about the culture of secrecy and lack of accountability that has allowed alleged abuse to occur. The Caldwells' public statement of support for the victim and their grandchildren underscores the complex emotional and familial fallout from this scandal.