Amy Duggar King Reacts to Joseph Duggar Arrest on Child Charges

Amy Duggar King said she kept boundaries in place after Josh Duggar because she knew it did not end with him, and she reacted to joseph duggar's arrest on child sex crime charges. She said on Wednesday that the news stopped her in her tracks and that she immediately cried when she heard it.

King said, “I really kept those boundaries in place after Josh because I knew it didn't end with Josh.” She added, “In my book, I literally talk about how there's probably going to be another. There's going to be some more scandals, because I don't believe it just starts and stops with Josh.”

Josh Duggar conviction

Josh Duggar is serving a 12.5-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2021 of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materials. King said she was a disaster after that case and said, “I'm gonna try to take care of myself because last time, when Josh had his terrible scandal and went away for a long time, I gained weight.”

She also said, “I ate comfort food.” King said she would continue to keep boundaries with her family, while also saying, “family is — you still care” and “You want the best for everyone.”

Joseph Duggar arrest

Joseph Duggar was arrested in March on several charges after being accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl during a 2020 family vacation in Florida. He pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial. Days after that arrest, Joseph Duggar and Kendra Duggar were charged with four separate counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment.

King said it had been a long time since she last spoke with Joseph Duggar or Kendra Duggar. She said she would greet them if they crossed paths in the future, but said hearing that Kendra Duggar had also been arrested was “really heartbreaking” for her.

May 13 interview

King made the comments on Wednesday, May 13, in The Dory Jackson Interview series on YouTube. She said, “You're never prepared for that kind of news. You know, it just kind of stops you in your tracks. I immediately cried,” and added, “I immediately had instant tears, and I was like, No, not again.’”

She also said, “When I found out who that person was that is now allegedly having another scandal and have hurt another innocent child, it just broke my heart on who it was.”

The family cases now move on separate tracks: Josh Duggar remains in prison while working to appeal his sentence after being denied twice, and Joseph Duggar faces the new charges tied to the Florida allegation. King said she will keep her distance and still keep the family in view.