Joseph Duggar’s aunt is asking the disgraced reality star’s wife, Kendra Duggar, to file for divorce amid her abuse scandal.
“The way I feel, I think Kendra should divorce him,” Deanna Duggar — who is patriarch Jim Bob Duggar’s sister — told Page Six in an exclusive interview. He needs a new life. The best thing for her to do is to divorce him and move on with her life.
Kendra — who married Joseph in 2017 and shares four children with him — was charged with four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of false imprisonment on March 20. Joseph was convicted of the same charges.
“I don’t know what the charges will be for Kendra. I don’t know, we’re all waiting to see. Even though my heart goes out to her, I know there were bad decisions,” Deanna continued. My prayers are with the victims. To Kendra, for Joseph, for the whole family, wake up and repent of their pride, their worldview against them, make things right in their family…”
Deanna and her daughter Amy King – who appeared regularly on “19 Kids and Counting” – have been estranged from the Duggar family for years due to their extreme religious beliefs and arguments.
Another controversy involves Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s eldest son, Josh, who is currently serving a 151-month prison sentence on child pornography charges. His arrest resulted in the cancellation of TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” and “Counting On”.
Josh declared his innocence despite being convicted after a two-week trial.
Although Deanna hasn’t seen Joseph in “a few years,” she says of his arrest, “I was so scared, I couldn’t believe it was Joseph.
Deanna realized that she always wondered what “really goes on” behind closed doors.
I’m like everybody who watches the news and says, ‘How can this happen again?’ I want people to know that I have a heavy heart for the victims,” he added.
“That sweet, innocent little girl who didn’t deserve this, ugly, horrible, I’m confused by everything that happened.
Deanna told Page Six that she remembers her niece as “always loving and kind.”
He says: “He was happy to be with her.” I loved Joseph very much, he told us “a part of [her] the heart is lacking” among all the issues.
I never dreamed this would happen in a million years.
Deanna also prayed that Joseph would “get help” with “recovery.”
While it’s unclear if Kendra will continue to stand by her husband, Page Six obtained his daily prison calls to his wife.
Joseph, 31, called Kendra, 27, on March 19, but she did not answer the phone. Kendra responded on March 20, and the two talked for eight minutes. He called her again on March 21 and 22 for 21 minutes each.
On March 23, Joseph called his wife twice – the first conversation lasted about 20 minutes and the second call lasted nine minutes.
Page Six reported earlier this month that Joseph was arrested on March 18 on charges of molesting a 9-year-old girl. He was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving a victim under the age of 12 and lewd and lascivious behavior by a person 18 years of age or older.
According to authorities, the alleged incident occurred several times during a family vacation in Panama City, Fla., in 2020.
In a court report obtained by Page Six, Joseph’s alleged victim, now 14, told authorities that the former TLC star began asking her to “sit in the chair next to the bed. [him],” and to “clothe the feasts with a blanket.”
Bay County Sheriff’s Deputy Darrell Norris wrote in the affidavit, “Once the sides were covered, the defendant would pull the victim’s clothing and touch the victim’s thighs.”
The alleged “Counting On” star said Joseph’s hand “grazed [her] female” during the alleged incidents, according to the affidavit.
Joseph was booked into the Washington County Jail in Arkansas. He was convicted of other charges in Arkansas – four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and four counts of false imprisonment on March 20.
Page Six can confirm that he is currently being extradited to Bay County, Florida to face abuse charges. The Duggar family has not responded to Page Six’s repeated requests for comment.
However, Jim Bob and Michelle broke their silence on Joseph’s arrest in a statement obtained by Page Six on Monday, saying they were “heartbroken” by the whole situation.
“Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children through this difficult time,” the statement read in part. They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers from many.”
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
#Unique #Duggar #family #member #pleads #Josephs #wife #Kendra #divorce #abuse #arrest #life