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Josh Duggar’s Family Breaks Silence on Child Porn Charges: ‘We Are Disturbed’

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May 9, 2021 10:21 am·

By In Touch Staff

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Former 19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar‘s family began breaking their silence about his arrest shortly after he pleaded not guilty to child pornography charges on Friday, April 30. Among those to speak out were his parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, and his sisters Jill Dillard and Jinger Vuolo.

“We appreciate your continued prayers for our family at this time,” Josh’s parents said in a statement on their family website. “The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious. It is our prayer that the truth, no matter what it is, will come to light, and that this will all be resolved in a timely manner. We love Josh and Anna [Duggar] and continue to pray for their family.”

Josh, 33, was arraigned one day after his shocking arrest by homeland security in Arkansas on Thursday, April 29. The disgraced reality star “allegedly used the internet to download child sexual abuse material,” according to a United States Attorney’s Office press release obtained by In Touch. “Duggar allegedly possessed this material, some of which depicts the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12, in May 2019.”

He now faces “up to 20 years of imprisonment and fines up to $250,000.00 on each count.” Josh is currently being held without bond, but he will have the opportunity to request to be released on bond at a hearing on May 5. In order to be released, he will require a “third party custodian” who he will reside with that would “ensure compliance with conditions of release and can ensure to the court that there are no minors in the home, or that would be visiting unsupervised.”

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It is unclear who might volunteer to take responsibility for him, but his parents have been supportive of their son through past scandals, including when it was revealed in 2015 that he had molested four of his younger sisters and a babysitter.

Jill, 29, self-identified as one of Josh’s victims during an interview with Megyn Kelly at the time, and she was the first to speak out about his latest scandal as well. “We just learned this information. It is very sad,” Jill said in a statement to Entertainment Tonight on Friday, April 30.

Scroll through the gallery below to see all of the family reactions to Josh’s arrest child porn charges.

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Joy-Anna Duggar Breaks Silence on Josh Duggar's Child Pornography Arrest

Joy-Anna Duggar and Austin Forsyth

The couple finally broke their silence on Saturday, May 8. “The recent allegations brought against Josh sadden us to our core,” Josh’s sister and brother-in-law shared on both of their Instagram Stories. “We have not wanted to be hasty in making any statements while still trying to process the news ourselves. We are especially heartbroken by the reality that there are children in the world being harmed and exploited.”

They continued, “We ask for prayer for all those involved and it is our continued prayer that the truth comes to light. — Austin and Joy Forsyth”

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Deanna Duggar Reacts to Josh Duggar's Arrest

Deanna Duggar

Amy’s Duggar‘s mother, Deanna Duggar, shared a cryptic message via social media on Wednesday, May 5. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea,” she shared. In the comments, she further elaborated, “God says the ‘Little ones’ are so precious to Him!! ❤️”

Josh’s aunt later clarified, “Hey I am just quoting what the Bible says! God Almighty says this is very, very serious!!! No, I don’t want anyone to die! But I do want the Truth to be revealed!!!!🙏🙏🙏”

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jessa-and-ben-style-gallery

Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald

The married couple shared an identical statement via their Instagram Stories on Saturday, May 1. “We are saddened to hear of the charges against Josh. As Christians, we stand against any form of pornography or abuse,” read the post. “And we desire for the truth to be exposed, whatever that may be. Our prayers are with their family as they walk through this difficult time.”

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jinger vuolo reacts to josh duggar child porn charges

Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo

The duo released a statement immediately after charges were announced on April 30, 2021. “We want to make it clear that we absolutely condemn any form of child abuse and fully support the authorities and judicial process in their pursuit of justice,” said the pair.

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jill duggar family rift

Jill Dillard

“We just learned this information. It is very sad,” Jill told Entertainment Tonight. It is unclear if she was aware of the specific charges at the time.

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Jim Bob Talks With Michelle Duggar

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar

“We appreciate your continued prayers for our family at this time,” the couple wrote on their family blog after Josh’s arraignment. “The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious. It is our prayer that the truth, no matter what it is, will come to light, and that this will all be resolved in a timely manner. We love Josh and Anna and continue to pray for their family.”

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Amy Duggar Admits Takes a Village Raise Baby Dax Message Mom

Amy Duggar

“I’m kind of speechless, we just hope it’s not true,” Josh’s cousin Amy told The Sun. “I spoke with several of my cousins after we heard about the arrest. We’re in shock, but we don’t want to think the worst of someone, you want to think the best. If it is true it would absolutely devastate a lot of people.”

“Everybody that knows Josh would be devastated. Just thinking about it makes me want to have a glass of wine right now,” she continued. “It breaks my heart. Family is family and I wish the best for everyone.”