Content Warning: This article discusses allegations of child sexual abuse that some readers may find disturbing.
Joseph Duggar’s child molestation case has taken a new turn as prosecutors have disclosed more evidence. The latest court filings mention a private phone recording and name a new witness for the prosecution. However, the recording’s contents remain unknown.
Prosecutors turn over a private phone recording
According to Page Six, prosecutors handed Duggar’s legal team a private phone recording as part of newly disclosed evidence. Court documents filed in Bay County Circuit Court, Florida, on October 22 confirm the development. A separate filing from that day added a woman linked to an Arkansas children’s safety organization to the prosecution’s witness list.
Authorities arrested the former “19 Kids and Counting” star in March over an accusation involving a 9-year-old girl in Florida. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office said he faced charges of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12 and lewd and lascivious behavior by an adult. Duggar pleaded not guilty.
The accuser, now 14, told investigators that Duggar groomed and sexually assaulted her during a family vacation in 2020. According to an affidavit, she accused him of repeatedly touching her genitals with his hand.
The affidavit also says the girl would “sit on the defendant’s lap” while Duggar would “cradle [her] with his arms.” She told investigators that the alleged incidents happened “several times.” According to the affidavit, Duggar also “approached the victim” during the trip and apologized for his actions. These allegations remain part of the criminal case.
Duggar’s wife, Kendra, also faced charges in Arkansas after authorities arrested her on March 20. Prosecutors charged her with four counts each of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree false imprisonment. Authorities released her shortly after booking, while Joseph also faced the same charges that day.
The Florida case remains ongoing, with Joseph scheduled to appear in court on November 10.
