Amy Duggar King recently shared her thoughts on the recent arrest of her cousin, Joseph Duggar, in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE magazine. Joseph was taken into custody on March 18, facing serious charges related to child molestation, including lewd and lascivious behaviour towards a minor under 12 years of age. The charges stem from an incident that took place in Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2020, involving a nine-year-old girl.
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The news of Joseph’s arrest emerged a decade after his brother, Josh Duggar, admitted to molesting several young girls, two of whom were his own sisters, Jill and Jessa Duggar. Josh was ultimately convicted on charges of child pornography in 2022 and sentenced to over 12 years in prison. Reflecting on her family’s troubled past, Amy expressed her feelings of disgust and disbelief but noted that she was not entirely surprised by these latest allegations.
Amy, now 39, spoke candidly about how the scandal involving Josh was a turning point for her. “It was just a huge eye-opener for me,” she stated, adding that it prompted her to reevaluate her upbringing and the teachings of their family, particularly the Institute of Basic Life Principles (IBLP), a fundamentalist Christian group that her family has been associated with. Although she was not part of the core group, she acknowledged the toxic environment she was surrounded by, recognising the need to distance herself from it.
Having grown up closely connected with Joseph, Amy recalled happy memories of their childhood. “We had inside jokes. He was really funny, and I feel like everybody just loved Joe,” she shared. However, the rift in their relationship came after the scandal surrounding Josh, leading to a long period without contact. She explained that this was due to a sense of family loyalty and the accountability each member held to one another. “I basically just had to distance myself because I knew that it just wasn’t healthy,” she added.
The shocking nature of Joseph’s arrest left Amy in disbelief. “I was completely shocked that it was Joe,” she remarked, reflecting on the seriousness of the allegations. Just two days later, Joseph’s wife, Kendra, was also taken into custody. Although the family stated that her charges were unrelated to those of her husband, Kendra was facing charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment. She was released shortly after her booking and spent time with their four children.
Joseph’s initial court appearance was brief. During the hearing, which he attended virtually from jail, his bond was set at £600,000, leading to his release the same day. He is now subject to restrictions regarding who he can be alone with, including his children. Despite the gravity of the situation, Joseph has entered a plea of not guilty and is seeking a jury trial.
In her interview, Amy conveyed a complex mix of emotions. While she is understandably distraught over the latest developments, she highlighted a broader issue within their family and community. She stressed the necessity of accountability and the importance of addressing the systemic failures that allow such behaviour to fester. “This isn’t just an isolated situation. It reflects a deeper systematic issue,” she maintained.
Drawing attention to the conditions that may have contributed to these recurring scandals, Amy emphasised that unchecked power and the elevation of men create a toxic environment. “When you grow up in environments where the power is unchecked, it creates the perfect conditions for abuse to happen and to continue,” she stated.
As she continues to process these troubling events, Amy remains steadfast in her commitment to speaking out against the injustices that have affected her family. Her experiences have led her on a journey of self-discovery and education, and she hopes to help others who may be trapped in similar circumstances.