The alleged victim of former Counting On star Joseph Duggar is staying strong after coming forward to police last month with allegations of sexual abuse.
In a new interview with Us Weekly, a source claimed that, while it “took a lot for [the victim] to come forward” about Joe’s alleged crimes, she’s “not scared” and is remaining brave as the situation unfolds in the public eye.
“She doesn’t want to hide,” the source claimed.
As The Ashley has reported, the 31-year-old father of four was arrested in March after a 14-year-old girl disclosed in a forensic interview several sexual abuse incidents involving Joe that occurred during a 2020 family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, when the victim was 9 years-old.
While the Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) in Florida reported that Joe eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped; investigators learned that the victim’s father confronted Joe about his alleged crimes in early March, at which point Joe reportedly admitted his actions to the victim’s father and to detectives.
Joe was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older. He has pleaded guilty to all charges.
While the identity of the alleged victim has not been revealed, a source told Us Weekly that the individual is someone who is close to the family of Joe’s wife, Kendra Caldwell Duggar– something that has been widely speculated online following the news of Joe’s arrest last month.
“[Kendra’s parents] Christina and Paul Caldwell are not hiding the fact that Joseph’s victim is [close to the Caldwell family],” the source claimed. “Christina has told other members of their church, but she is not sure she wants to talk about it so publicly. That is what she’s struggling with, but she is not hiding it.”
As for why the alleged victim chose to report the crime to police last month, the source said that, with time, the alleged victim gained the courage to share with her family what had occurred.
“When [the allegedly sexual assault] happened, Joseph was on vacation with Kendra and her family,” they stated. “No other Duggar [family members] were there … As years passed, [the alleged victim] understood more and got the courage to tell her family. Just like the police report says, when she told her family, they acted on it.”
As you may recall, days after Joe was arrested on child molestation charges, he received new charges, unrelated to those he’s facing in Florida: four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment. Kendra was also charged with the same crimes, and later booked into the Washington County jail after turning herself in; the 27 year-old posted bond and was released the same day. (One of the conditions of Kendra’s release was that she have no contact with the victims of her alleged crimes.)
Despite Kendra’s arrest and the nature of the crimes her husband allegedly committed against someone close to her family, Kendra continues to stand by Joe as he sits behind bars, and is opting to lean heavily on Joe’s family and parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, instead of her own parents.
Kendra, Joe and his family have also been publicly accused of retaliating against the Caldwells by evicting Paul and Christina from the shared home the family had been living in since 2021, which belonged to Kendra and Joe. The Duggars allegedly gave Kendra’s parents and siblings the boot due to a rumor that Paul and Christina were responsible for turning Joe in to the police.
As a result, Paul and Christina launched a GoFundMe last month to raise money to help with “displacement expenses” after being told they had 30 days to vacate the residence they had been living in. Paul claimed on the page for the fundraiser– which, to date, has raised more than $33,000– that the money would be used for moving expenses and rent.
Kendra’s parents broke their silence on their son-in-law’s arrest last week on social media, posting a statement in which they expressed their sympathy for the victim of Joe’s alleged crimes.
“ … Our love for this child remains at the forefront of our family’s priorities and minds,” they wrote. “We are proud of her for being strong enough to share her story while also retaining her own identity and joy.”
They also wrote that victims like this young woman, “should be able to share their story, to trust the judicial process, and do so without fear of retaliation,” while maintaining that they are on her side.
The Caldwells went on to mention that they are praying for Kendra and Joe’s children, as they have also been impacted by Joe’s alleged actions.
“Our love for them, and our daughter Kendra, remains,” they added.
(Photos: TLC; Instagram)
4 Responses
Some people have said they saw Kendra at Sliver Dollar City with John and Abby this past weekend. She’s just enjoying life while her kids are in foster care!
Joe and Kendra are evil. I hope she never gets her kids back.
Josephas pled not guilty,but hehas confessed twice
I’m proud of her. It is very courageous especially for a 14 year old to come forward. Even though it is not the victims fault there can be a misguided sense of shame. But it is not her shame to carry. It’s Joe’s and his dippy wife, Kendra is no better. She will eventually have custody of her kids back and with the equally sick Duggar family take their children to visit their pedophile Dad as if nothing ever happened. (Apparently Anna and Kendra are too stupid to realize that Josh and Joe very well could have molested their own children) They all make me sick and as always there is no one to protect these innocent children.