Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar shared several messages after their eldest son Josh Duggar’s child pornography scandal broke in 2021.
“We appreciate your continued prayers for our family at this time,” the 19 Kids and Counting stars told NewsPlop in an April 2021 statement. “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.”
Josh — who shares seven children with wife Anna Duggar — was arrested on charges of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material. He was found guilty in December 2021 and sentenced to 151 months in prison, which he is currently serving. (Years prior to his arrest, Josh admitted to molesting five girls, including several of his sisters, when he was a teenager.)
“This entire ordeal has been very grievous,” Jim Bob and Michelle told Us after his December 2021 conviction. “Today, God’s grace, through the love and prayers of so many, have sustained us. Our hearts and prayers are with anyone who has ever been harmed through [child sexual abuse material].”
Along with Josh, the former TLC stars are also the parents to Jana Duggar, John-David Duggar, Jill Duggar, Jessa Duggar, Jinger Duggar, Joseph Duggar, Josiah Duggar, Joy-Anna Duggar, twins Jedidiah Duggar and Jeremiah Duggar, Jason Duggar, James Duggar, Justin Duggar, Jackson Duggar, Johannah Duggar, Jennifer Duggar, Jordyn Duggar and Josie Duggar.
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Jim Bob and Michelle faced another scandal in March 2026 when son Joseph was arrested after allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl during a 2020 vacation in Florida. He was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older. Joseph was later charged with an additional four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and four counts of false imprisonment in the second degree.
Jim Bob and Michelle spoke out after Joseph’s arrest as well.
Keep scrolling to look back at everything they said about eldest son Josh’s 2021 scandal:
The 1st Incident
In 2015, Josh admitted to touching five young girls when he was a teenager. It was later revealed that he had been inappropriate with several of his siblings. He resided at a faith-based treatment facility in Rockford, Illinois, for six months.
“We are so thankful for everyone who worked with Josh in this program. It was a crucial first step in recovery and healing for Josh,” they said in a 2016 statement. “Josh has now returned to Arkansas, where he will continue professional counseling and focus on rebuilding relationships with his family.”
They added, “We look to God for help and guidance and place all of our trust in Him. We are forever grateful for the love and prayers offered by so many and hope you will continue to pray in the days ahead.”
A Year of ‘Heartache’
“Today is our son Josh’s birthday. The heartache of the past year cannot surpass the joy 28 years ago on this day when we first became parents,” Michelle and Jim Bob wrote via Facebook in March 2016. “We love you Josh and believe your best days can be ahead of you. We continue to pray for you every day.”
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Thankful for Treatment
After being released from treatment, the family released a statement regarding Josh.
“Josh has completed his residential rehabilitation program,” they shared in March 2016. “We are so thankful for everyone who worked with Josh in this program. It was a crucial first step in recovery and healing for Josh.”
They added, “We look to God for help and guidance and place all of our trust in Him. We are forever grateful for the love and prayers offered by so many and hope you will continue to pray in the days ahead.”
A ‘Grievous’ Ordeal
“In the days ahead, we will do all we can to surround our daughter-in-law Anna and their children with love and support,” Jim Bob and Michelle wrote via their website after Josh’s conviction in December 2021. “As parents, we will never stop praying for Joshua, and loving him, as we do all of our children. In each of life’s circumstances, we place our trust in God. He is our source of strength and refuge. Thank you for your prayers.”
Letter to the Court
Before Josh’s sentencing, Michelle wrote a May 2022 letter to the judge on behalf of her son’s character. According to a Daily Mail excerpt, she noted: “Joshua has always been a positive and upbeat person. He is wise financially — saving money for the future and purposing not to go into debt. He is a good provider for his family, working diligently and thinking of creative ways to support and care of his wife and children.”