Kendra Duggar Can't See Her 4 Kids for a Month, Says Anna Duggar

2 weeks ago 10

Kendra Duggar Says She's "Fighting" for Her Kids After Child Endangerment Arrest

Kendra Duggar won’t see her kids for a few weeks, according to her sister-in-law Anna Duggar.

After being arrested—and released hours later—on child endangerment and false imprisonment charges March 20, the wife of Joseph Duggar has seemingly been separated from their four kids for a month, according to an email from Anna obtained by E! News from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas.

In the March 21 message to her brother-in-law Joseph—who himself was arrested in the Duggars’ home state March 18 for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old during a 2020 family vacation in Florida—Anna discussed the aftermath of Kendra’s arrest after the two had talked on the phone.

“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 the email. “My heart breaks for all of you.”

The 37-year-old also alluded to Kendra’s eagerness to challenge the charges made against her, adding, “I know she will win in the end... it just might take time.”

Anna—whose own husband Josh Duggar is currently serving out a 12-year sentence for his child pornography conviction—went on to praise how “amazing” Kendra had been at navigating her situation. 

“I was amazed with how clearly she thought,” the mom of seven kids continued, “how focused and articulate she was in the middle of such heavy situations. She loves you deeply.”

For his part, Joseph—who is also facing the same charges as Kendra in Arkansas—thanked his sister-in-law for reaching out and described his experience in solitary confinement. 

Office of the Sheriff Washington County, Arkansas

“I am currently in solitary but they got me a bible so i have been able to stay encouraged,” he responded in a March 21 email, also obtained by E!. “Thanks for the encouraging message! it means a lot!”

E! has reached out to Arkansas’ Tontitown Police Department for comment on Kendra’s case but has not yet heard back.

Amid Joseph’s time behind bars in Arkansas, Kendra also discussed the “crazy hard” separation from her kids on multiple phone calls with Joseph. 

Joseph Duggar/Instagram

"I'm fighting for the kids and they're my number one priority right now," she told her husband, per audio obtained by People, adding in a separate call, “From what I hear, they’re doing good.”

Neither Kendra nor Joseph have entered a plea regarding their charges in Arkansas.

After being extradited to Florida, Joseph pleaded not guilty to lewd and lascivious behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor on March 31. He was released on a $600,000 bond, with a judge barring him from having contact with his alleged victim or any other minors.

Read on to see what other members of the Duggar family have said about Joseph’s arrest. 

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.”

Instagram

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."

Instagram

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."

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App

Read Entire Article