Amy Duggar King revealed that it’s been a long time since she’s spoken to cousin Joseph Duggar and his wife, Kendra Duggar, amid their recent arrests.
“Just a few facts: I haven’t seen or heard from Jo in about 5 years,” Amy, 39, wrote via her Instagram Story on Monday, March 23, referring to Joseph, 31, who was accused this month of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl in 2020.
“But that doesn’t mean I didn’t still love him and want the best for him,” she added, noting, “I don’t think people understand how much time I spent with them and countless hours filming. I grew up over there [at his parents’ house].”
Amy — who has been vocal about her ups and downs with her extended family and the allegedly toxic environment they grew up in — also opened up on Monday about her dynamic with Joseph’s wife following Kendra’s own arrest last week.
“I didn’t know Kendra extremely well, but I thought they made an adorable couple,” Amy shared via her Instagram Stories.
She recalled, “I went to a ski resort with them once and shopped a little with Kendra. [She was] very sweet natured and [I] just loved her.”
Amy explained, “I have texted Kendra and no response back. That was before I knew anything of her being arrested.”
News broke on Wednesday, March 18, that Joseph, one of the former stars of 19 Kids and Counting with his large family, was arrested. He was accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl during a Florida vacation.
The alleged victim, now 14, claimed in a police statement that Joseph “eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology.”
Joseph is facing multiple charges including two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Both Joseph and Kendra, 27, are facing charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment.
Kendra was arrested on Friday, March 20, and released that same day on a $1,470 bond.
Joseph and Kendra, who were featured on TLC’s Counting On spinoff, share four children.
“It’s all a dysfunctional broken mess. And it’s been the heaviest week,” Amy wrote on Monday, reflecting on her extended family’s latest issues. “Praying for the whole truth to come to light.”
Amy, who is related to the Duggars through her mother, Deanna Duggar (who is Jim Bob Duggar’s sister), noted that she hasn’t been “to the big house in years.” (Jim Bob and wife Michelle Duggar share 19 children, including Joseph.)
“A lot has happened that again I have written about. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love my cousins, I’ll always want the best for them,” Amy added, referring to her book, Holy Disruptor, that sheds a light on her upbringing and her cousins’ life in front and behind the cameras.
She noted on Monday, “The truth has always been hidden in my family, and it just makes me feel sick that there’s more and will probably be even more.”
Prior to Joseph and Kendra’s arrests, his older brother Josh Duggar was sentenced to 12 years in prison for possession of child pornography in May 2022.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
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