Former "Counting On" star Jana Duggar has publicly addressed the shocking arrest of her brother, Joseph Duggar, claiming the family was completely in the dark regarding the devastating allegations.
In a candid Instagram post on Thursday, Jana revealed that the Duggar family had "no prior knowledge" of the accusations before they made global headlines. Expressing deep sorrow over the ordeal, she described the sudden revelation as both shocking and deeply painful for her relatives.
Not mincing words about the severity of the charges, Jana firmly condemned the alleged actions and focused her sympathy on the victim.
"We are deeply saddened and heartbroken," Jana wrote. "Our hearts are with the child who has been harmed — this is a grievous and unacceptable wrong."
Joseph Duggar is currently facing severe legal trouble following his arrest on multiple charges related to alleged sexual misconduct with a minor. Authorities state the accusations stem from alleged incidents involving a victim who was just nine years old at the time. Joseph has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was recently released from a Florida detention center after posting a $600,000 bond.
The reality television family continues to grapple with the public fallout, with several other siblings stepping forward to voice their dismay. Jill Duggar and her husband, Derick Dillard, previously issued a statement explicitly condemning the alleged abuse and standing in solidarity with the victim.
Similarly, sister Jinger Duggar recently shared her emotional turmoil over the situation, noting that nothing can adequately prepare a family for such horrifying news while expressing her own profound heartbreak for the young girl involved.