Joseph Duggar’s Aunt Deanna Urges Kendra to Divorce Him After Arrest

The Duggar family is no stranger to scandal. “19 Kids and Counting,” which followed Jim Bob, Michelle, and their 19 children in rural Arkansas, was canceled in 2015 after revelations about the family’s eldest son, Josh Duggar.

He had admitted to molesting four of his sisters and a babysitter as a teenager. Josh later received a more than 12-year prison sentence in a separate case involving child pornography.

With Joseph Duggar now facing serious charges, the family’s struggles—and the public scrutiny that comes with them—are far from over.

Joseph’s Aunt’s Words to His Wife

In a blunt and emotional interview with Page Six, Joseph’s aunt, Deanna Duggar, didn’t mince words about what she thinks his wife, Kendra Duggar, should do.

“The way I feel about it is, I think Kendra should divorce him,” Deanna said. “She needs a new life. The best thing to do would be to divorce him and go on with her life.”

Deanna’s comments reflect the tension and heartbreak rippling through the family as Joseph faces mounting legal battles.

Charges Touch Kendra Duggar Too

The situation took a new turn when Kendra herself became embroiled in legal trouble. On March 20, authorities in Arkansas charged both Joseph and Kendra with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and four counts of false imprisonment.

The details of Kendra’s alleged involvement remain unclear, but Deanna expressed concern over the choices leading to this point.

“I don’t know what the charges are going to be for Kendra. I don’t know, we’re all waiting to see. While my heart goes out to her, I know there has been some wrong decisions,” she said. “My prayers are for … Kendra, for Joseph, for the whole family, wake up and repent of their pride, their feeling of the world is against them, get things right in their family.”

Kendra was released on bond from the Washington County Detention Center for $1,470, while Joseph was held in Florida with a $600,000 bond. As of March 31, records show he was no longer in custody.

The couple, married since 2017, share three young children, whose wellbeing is now at the center of public concern.

Family Reacts With Shock and Heartbreak

For Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, the parents who once captured America’s attention through the TLC series, the arrest of their son has been devastating.

“Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time. They are praying for the victim,” a family spokesperson said. “They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.”

Other members of the family have also spoken out. Jill Duggar Dillard, the fourth eldest child, and her husband Derick shared their disbelief in a March 19 blog post.

“We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph’s arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020,” they wrote.

The Path Ahead

Deanna Duggar’s words underline the urgency many feel: Kendra Duggar faces difficult choices, both for her future and for the children she shares with Joseph.

Meanwhile, the legal system will determine the outcome for Joseph, and the family must grapple with the fallout from another public crisis.

As the Duggar saga continues, it’s clear that the story of this family, once celebrated for their size and faith, is now defined by controversy, heartbreak, and questions of accountability.

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