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Joseph Duggar's Wife Kendra Duggar Pleads Not Guilty to Child Endangerment
Kendra Duggar is pushing back on allegations.
The wife of 19 Kids and Counting alum Joseph Duggar pleaded not guilty to four counts of child endangerment and false imprisonment in court documents filed on her behalf by attorney Travis W. Story and obtained by TMZ April 27.
Kendra—who shares four young kids with Joseph—was also granted her request to dissolve a no-contact order that had been put in place since March 20, the same day she was arrested in Arkansas, per court documents.
In a filing, Kendra's legal team argued the alleged victims wanted contact with her restored and that continued restriction would prevent third-party evaluations tied to the case, according to TMZ. Court documents said the Arkansas Department of Human Services will now be able to help facilitate reunification between Kendra and the alleged victims.
E! News has reached out to Kendra's lawyer for comment but hasn't heard back.
A Duggar family spokesperson told People that Kendra’s charges are "totally unrelated” to child molestation charges her husband, who was arrested March 18, is facing in Florida.
Amid the couple’s legal problems, Kendra’s sister-in-law Anna Duggar previously shared in an email to Joseph, 31, in jail that his wife had been barred from seeing their kids.
“She was strong on the phone call, except for when she talked about it being a month before she can see the kids,” Anna wrote in a March 21 email obtained by E! News through the Freedom of Information Act. “My heart breaks for all of you."
Kendra was able to reach Joseph later, telling him in a March 24 jail phone call recording also obtained by E! that she was "fighting for the kids."
Joseph Duggar/Instagram
"They're my number one priority right now," Kendra told her husband of almost nine years, who replied that he was “100 percent behind” her and confirmed that she "should be fighting for them the most."
She added, "I just want you to know, through all of this, whatever happens, that's who's coming first."
Following his arrest in Arkansas, Joseph was extradited to Florida, where he pled not guilty to one count of lewd and lascivious behavior—molestation of a victim less than 12 years old, as well as one count of lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.
Office of the Sheriff Washington County, Arkansas
Joseph was released from police custody on $600,000 bond, at which point he returned to Arkansas and was reunited with Kendra, his lawyer Albert J. Sauline III told People in early April. At the time, the attorney noted that Joseph—whose condition of release prohibits him from contacting any minors, including his alleged victim—did not reunite with his children.
In addition to his charges in Florida, Joseph is also facing child endangerment and false imprisonment charges in Arkansas. It's unclear if he has entered a plea.
E! has also reached out to his attorney for comment but has not heard back.
For what the Duggar family has said about Joseph's legal troubles, read on.
Duggar Family/Instagram
Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar
Joseph Duggar's parents broke their silence in a statement on March 30.
“Jim Bob and Michelle are heartbroken over this entire situation,” a spokesperson for the Duggar family told Us Weekly. “Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time."
The spokesperson added that the couple was "praying for the victim. They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.”
Jill Duggar Dillard & Derick Dillard
“We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother (Joseph Duggar’s) arrest,” the couple wrote in a blog post March 19. “We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph’s arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020. We are shocked and heartbroken.”
Derick and Jill—who spoke out against the family in the 2023 book Counting the Cost—said they “strongly condemn abuse.”
Kris Connor/Getty Images
Josh Duggar
"Josh understands the stigma of being accused," his attorney told the Daily Mail in a story published March 20. "He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction."
Noting that Josh—who is serving 12 years in prison for child pornography—is "not in frequent communication" with Joseph, the attorney said the former TLC star "hopes and prays for his brother's well being in this difficult time."
Instagram/Jana Duggar
Jana Duggar Wissmann & Stephen Wissmann
"We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the situation involving my brother, Joseph," Jana and her husband said in an April 2 statement shared on Instagram Stories. "This news came as a shock to us, as we have no prior knowledge before it became public."
The countinued, "Our hearts are with the child who has been harmed—this is a grievous and unacceptable wrong. We continue to pray for the victim and for justice to be carried out."
Insatgram/Jason Duggar
Jason Duggar & Maddie Duggar
The couple, who married in 2024, said they are "angered" by the "unthinkable" actions of his brother Joseph.
"We, like many, have spent the week completely shocked, confused, and grieved to list a few emotions," Jason and Maddie said in a statement shared on Instagram March 26. "We are disgusted to hear the news about my brother, however, this isn't about how it's impacted our lives. Our hearts are burdened because a child's life has been turned upside down due to evil actions of someone who should have never hurt the vulnerable."
"Maddie and I have always had a special place in our hearts for the vulnerable around us, and we will continue to do so," their message went on. "To fathom that someone would abuse their authority to harass the innocent is vile."
They asked for prayers for the "brave" victim as well as Joseph's family, saying, "His children must face the reality of losing a father that should have been a spiritual leader in their lives."
Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth
"What has come out about my brother is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing," Joy-Anna wrote on her Instagram Stories March 26. "My heart is with the victim, and I am grieved by the pain and harm caused. I have been a wreck this week and am taking time to process."
She added, "I will be taking some much-needed time with my family."
Jinger Duggar Vuolo/Instagram
Jinger Duggar Vuolo & Jeremy Vuolo
As Jeremy put it in March 25 episode of The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast, “It’s been a really difficult week for us to process and think through and pray through this with the podcast.”
As for Jinger—who moved to Los Angeles with Jeremy in 2019—she said, “I did not think my heart could break like it has this week,” adding, “The pain and heartbreak that we’ve had over this and just thinking of how it’s affected so many. It’s just unthinkable. It’s so hard and painful on many levels.”
“It’s hard,” she continued. “All we can do in those moments is cry out to God and ask him to sustain us and give help because you can’t just be prepared for news like this.”
Amy Duggar King/Instagram
Amy Duggar King
"I am sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry," Joseph's cousin said in a March 20 statement to People. "My first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe, protected and surrounded by people she could trust."
Amy explained she was "utterly shocked to hear about these allegations and Joseph’s arrest."
"For years, I have spoken out about the importance of truth, accountability and protecting children, even when it meant going against my own family," she added. "Family ties should never equal automatic trust or access, especially when it comes to the safety of children."
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