**Dougherty Dozen Family Member Arrested for Public Lewdness**
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James Dougherty, a member of the well-known Dougherty Dozen family, was taken into custody recently following an incident of alleged public lewdness in Victor, New York. The arrest took place in the car park of Eastview Mall on the afternoon of July 29, as detailed in a statement released by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Department.
The report indicated that officers arrived at the scene shortly after 3:30 p.m. to investigate a report of a man allegedly engaging in inappropriate behaviour in his vehicle. It was claimed that Dougherty was found masturbating while sitting in his car, in full view of the public. Following this discovery, he was arrested, issued an appearance ticket, and is scheduled to return to Victor Town Court to address the charges at a later date.
Dougherty is the second-oldest son of Josh and Alicia Dougherty, who gained fame for their YouTube channel, which chronicles their lives as a family of 13. The channel, known as Dougherty Dozen, has amassed a significant following, boasting approximately 1.64 million subscribers. The family’s content primarily revolves around family dynamics, parenting, and the challenges of raising a large number of children.
Joshua and Alicia Dougherty began their journey to parenthood while studying for teaching degrees in college. After getting married in 2003, the couple faced difficulties with infertility and multiple pregnancy losses. This led them to consider alternative options such as foster care and adoption. Their family story has been shared openly, allowing their online audience to understand the dynamics behind their growing household.
The couple adopted their first son, Alex, in 2011 when he was just a child of five. Interestingly, shortly after finalising the adoption, they discovered that they were expecting a biological child, Zoey, who is now 14. In a whirlwind of events, they adopted James, who was six at the time, just a year later, and welcomed their son Dash shortly thereafter.
Their experience with family expansion didn’t stop there; they initially cared for twins Jason and Jordan on a temporary foster basis, which ultimately turned into a permanent arrangement, culminating in their adoption. The couple later added Bodhi and Harlee to their family in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
In 2019, they expanded their family once more by adopting Bree and Patrick, two siblings from a residential treatment facility, advocating for their adoption to keep the siblings together. Most recently, in the spring of 2022, they accepted kinship placement for Dayshawn, which resulted in permanent custody.
Despite their burgeoning family, news of James’s recent legal troubles has raised eyebrows among their audience and followers. The Dougherty family, typically celebrated for their commitment to fostering and adopting children, may face a challenging period as they navigate the implications of these allegations.
People Magazine reached out to the Dougherty family for a statement on the incident involving James; however, there had been no immediate response. As the situation unfolds, audiences are left to wonder how it may impact the family unit and their online presence, which has relied heavily on their image as a loving and supportive family amidst the chaos of everyday life.
The Dougherty Dozen’s journey has been inspirational to many who have followed their story online, with their candid discussions about the challenges and rewards of raising a large family resonating with viewers. As they deal with this recent incident, supporters and fans await further developments and the family’s response to this unexpected event.
James’s court appearance will provide further clarity regarding the allegations, but for now, the Dougherty family continues to grapple with the repercussions of this unexpected turn of events amidst their recognisable social media life.