‘Shocked’ Jill Duggar speaks out after brother Joseph’s child molestation arrest

Jill Duggar and her husband, Derick Dillard, released a statement in the wake of her brother Joseph Duggar’s child molestation arrest.

The duo wrote in a blog post Thursday that they were “shocked” when news broke Wednesday of the 31-year-old being detained.

“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,” the “heartbroken” pair continued.

The couple emphasized that they “strongly condemn abuse.”

They added, “We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved. Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family. We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.”

Jill, 34, and Dillard, 37, went on to give “love” to Joseph’s wife, Kendra Duggar, and four children.

“We pray that they feel loved and supported during this time as we cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything,” the post concluded.

Jill uploaded the same statement to her Instagram account, alongside a broken heart emoji.

While the “Counting On” alum is one of the first Duggar family members to publicly react to Joseph’s legal troubles, Josh Duggar shared a statement via his lawyer.

The “deeply saddened” 38-year-old, who is a convicted sex offender, railed against “how false accusations can destroy a life” and claimed he lives with the same “painful reality.”

His attorney told the Daily Mail, “He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.”

Josh is currently serving a 12-year sentence — which he is desperately trying to appeal — for receiving and possessing child porn.

As for Joseph, the businessman is behind bars in Arkansas’ Washington County Jail waiting to be extradited to Bay County, Fla.

He has been charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving a victim younger than the age of 12 and lewd and lascivious behavior toward a victim aged 18 or older.

A family spokesperson told Page Six the Duggars do not have a statement.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.