Kendra Duggar Pleads Not Guilty to Child Endangerment/False Imprisonment Charges; Is Now Allowed to See Her Kids

“Hooray for the lawyers the Duggar family has on speed-dial these days!”

Kendra Duggar is fighting the criminal charges she received last month for endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment and has scored a big legal win that will allow her to reestablish contact with her four kids.

TMZ revealed on Monday that the former Counting On star’s lawyer Travis Story (who Duggar fans may remember from being Josh Duggar‘s criminal defense attorney a few years back) entered a plea of not guilty on Kendra’s behalf at her recent court hearing.

As The Ashley previously reported, Kendra— who is married to Joseph Duggarwas arrested last month and charged with four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, as well as four counts of second-degree false imprisonment. She was hauled into jail, booked and released. Joe received the same charges as Kendra; however, he was already in jail, being held without bond after being charged days before for child molestation for an alleged incident that occurred in Florida in 2020.

“You know what they say: the couple who mugs together, stay together…or something.”

In order to be released from jail on bond, Kendra had to agree that she would “have no contact by telephone (including text), in person, by computer (including email), or through other people in any manner” with the victims. (Phone calls between Kendra and Joe while Joe was in jail later revealed that the alleged victims are the couple’s four children.) 

According to TMZ, Kendra’s lawyer was reportedly successful in having the no-contact order from March 20 lifted for Kendra.

“Her legal team… [argued] the alleged victims wanted contact with Kendra restored, that she had complied with all conditions of the order, and that continued restrictions were preventing important third-party evaluations tied to the case,” the site reported.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Joseph and Kendra Duggar (@littleduggarfamily)

The judge has reportedly signed to have the no-contact order dissolved. Arkansas DHS will “supervise and help facilitate reunifications between Kendra and the individuals who were previously protected under the order.”

The couple both had court hearings scheduled for April 29; it is likely that those hearings are for the criminal charges against them. (This hearing was likely held for family court.)

“After his charge, they automatically do a home study if minors live there. They came to her house,” Us Weekly reported. “Apparently, they had two rooms where the lock of the doorknob was on the outside instead of inside. They arrested her and took her kids for that, saying it’s evidence that she wrongly detains her kids.”

(This story regarding the reason for the arrests in Arkansas has not been confirmed via police or court records as of press time, just FYI.)

It is unknown if Joe is allowed near their kids. A condition of his bond for the Lewd and Lascivious Conduct and Molestation charges (for the alleged crimes in Florida) stated that he was not to have unsupervised contact with any minors under the age of 18. 

RELATED STORY: Kendra Duggar Looks Mortified in New Jail Booking Video Following Arrest for False Imprisonment & Child Endangerment

(Photos: TLC; Instagram; Washington County Sheriff’s Department) 

2 Responses


  1. The goal of most family court is to reunite the children with their parents/family so I am not so surprised she is allowed to see them. As a wise podcast royalty once said anyone can be a crime away from losing custody so take care of you and yours.

    Sounds like she had to take some parenting classes, which was probably needed. I have to say the weirdest part of all this mess or darkest is all the smiling happy family photos compiled with the disturbing news. The eat the baby photoshoot always makes me laugh. I know it was promotional material for the girls show but all the open mouth smiling makes it loook so crazy.

    Like these people must only have time for god and carefully curated photos of them and their children. But never actually interacting, like the kids are props. Poor kiddos I hope they feel safe now.


  2. I believe that this story is incorrect about Joe’s upcoming hearing. I believe his was moved to the latter part of may.

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