Joseph Duggar's Cousin Praises His Young Accuser for Speaking Out

Amy Duggar King, a cousin of former reality TV star Joseph Duggar, has spoken out in support of the young girl who accused Joseph of sexual abuse. Duggar King said she personally reached out to the girl to offer comfort and encouragement. She shared details of that conversation during a June 14 episode of The Sarah Fraser Show.

During the interview, Duggar King described what she told the girl. 'I just gave her hope. I said, This doesn't have to destroy you. It really truly doesn't,' she explained. She also told the girl that she was available as a safe person to talk to whenever needed, and the girl responded by thanking her.

Duggar King also praised the girl for being brave enough to speak up. She told her that coming forward, even knowing some people might not believe her, showed great strength. She also encouraged the girl to seek mental health counseling so she could talk through what happened with a professional. Duggar King said her greatest hope is that the girl finds peace and healing.

Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested on March 18 and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving sexual activity with a minor. The charge came after a girl said she was sexually abused during a 2020 family vacation to Panama City Beach, Florida. The Bay County Sheriff's Office stated that the girl reported several incidents of abuse. Duggar has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

According to investigators, the girl said Duggar repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap during the vacation. She said he touched her inappropriately while she was on a couch under a blanket. Afterward, Duggar apologized to her, and no further incidents took place, according to the sheriff's office.

When Duggar King first learned that the alleged victim was a child, she said she immediately cried. Despite her cousin's not guilty plea, she said she believes he will eventually take responsibility. 'The whole situation is just beyond horrific,' she said. Joseph Duggar is currently out of jail after paying a $600,000 bond and has a pretrial hearing scheduled for late July.