Jinger Duggar has spoken out against brother Josh after the father-of-six was arrested this week and charged with receiving and possessing child pornography.
Jinger, who goes by her married name Vuolo on social media, posted a statement on behalf of her and husband Jeremy Vuolo, after news of Josh’s arrest made headlines.
‘We are disturbed to hear of the charges against Josh. While this case must go through the legal system, we want to make it clear that we absolutely condemn any form of child abuse and fully support the authorities and judicial process in their pursuit of justice.’ her message read.
Jinger Duggar – now known as Jinger Vuolo – has released a statement to condemn her brother Josh after he was arrest on possession of child pornography. She is pictured here with husband Jeremy Vuolo
Speaking out: Jinger said she was ‘disturbed’ by the charges against her brother in a post she shared to Instagram on Friday
It comes after Jinger’s sister Jill spoke out after news of the arrest.
‘We just found out this information yesterday,’ Jill and husband Derick Dillard said in a statement to People before details of the charges were made public. ‘It is very sad.’
Meanwhile, Josh’s cousin Amy King revealed she’s ‘devastated’ by the charges.
Speaking to The Sun, Amy, 34, said: ‘At the moment I have no comment to make. I’m kind of speechless, we just hope it’s not true.
‘I spoke with several of my cousins after we heard about the arrest. We’re in shock, but we don’t want to think the worst of someone, you want to think the best.
‘If it is true it would absolutely devastate a lot of people.’
Amy added: ‘Everybody that knows Josh would be devastated. Just thinking about it makes me want to have a glass of wine right now.’
‘We just found out this information yesterday,’ Jill and husband Derick Dillard said in a statement to People before details of the charges were made public. ‘It is very sad.’
Josh’s cousin also spoke out – telling The Sun ‘If it is true it would absolutely devastate a lot of people.’
The 33-year-old former 19 Kids and Counting star pleaded not guilty to the federal charges on Friday during a virtual court hearing during which was ordered to live with a third party with no children if he is granted bond.
Duggar was taken into custody in Springdale, Arkansas a day earlier after turning himself in but the charges were not announced at the time. He is charged with receiving and possessing material depicting the sexual abuse of children.
According to the indictment, he is alleged to have downloaded child sexual abuse material online in May 2019. Some of the child pornography material he is accused of possessing shows children under the age of 12.
If convicted, Duggar faces up to 20 years in prison.
Josh has been charged with receiving and possessing child pornography and pleaded not guilty to the federal charges on Friday
Prior to the charges being formally announced, a source told The Sun that his wife was ‘standing by’ him and accompanied him to the police station.
His arrest followed a Homeland Security raid on his now-closed car dealership, Wholesale Motorcars, in Springdale, Arkansas back in November 2019. He was not charged at the time.
His parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, issued a statement on Friday, saying they were praying for their son and pregnant daughter-in-law.
‘The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious,’ they said.
‘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.’
The couple rose to fame on TLC show 19 Kids and Counting which documented their family life in rural Arkansas and raising their kids in a devout Christian Baptist environment.
The arrest marks Duggar’s latest brush with the law after his father, Jim Bob, reported him to police in 2006 for allegedly molesting five young girls over multiple occasions back when he was 14 and 15. He waited four years to report him to authorities.
‘We love Josh’: The disgraced star’s parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar appear to be standing by their son and said they will ‘continue to pray’ for him and his family
‘The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious’ His parents issued this statement on Friday
Four of the girls were his sisters but he was never criminally charged. He spent several months in a Christian rehab facility where he was treated for a sex addiction.
Duggar was sent to the Institute in Basic Life Principles Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2003 for treatment.
It later emerged that the institute’s founder, Bill Gothard, was accused of sexually harassing or assaulting 34 women in 2014 and resigned shortly afterward.
Jim Bob allegedly learned of it when Duggar confessed to him in 2002.
Josh was allegedly disciplined at home but the sexual abuse continued into the following year with multiple other incidents, some of which happened when his sisters and a babysitter were awake.
Josh and wife Anna, who has stood by him throughout his legal woes, are expecting their seventh child together
Josh and Anna’s announcement on Instagram three days earlier that they are expecting another child. ‘It’s a GIRL!!!!!’ the caption for the clip began
Jim again waited to alert authorities and raised the matter with his church elders first.
It wasn’t until May 2015, when the police report leaked in the media, that details of the accusations went public. The reality show was cancelled two months later.
Duggar’s sisters, Jessa and Jill Duggar, have since claimed they were two of their brother’s alleged victims.
Duggar’s wife Anna and family all stood by him after the sex abuse scandal emerged, with Jessa and Jill saying they had forgiven him.
He also issued a public apology addressing the claims saying: ‘Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends.’
Just months later, Duggar was rocked by another scandal when it was revealed that he had an account on Ashley Madison – the cheating website for married men.
He released yet another statement apologizing for cheating on his wife, saying: ‘I have been the biggest hypocrite ever. While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the Internet and this has become a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife.’
His arrest on the latest charges came just days after he and his wife Anna announced they were expecting their seventh child.
Anna shared the news to Instagram on Saturday with a video of herself and her husband hugging in a field with all six of their kids running toward the camera.
The announcement doubled as a gender reveal as pink confetti came out of a clear umbrella the couple – who are both 33 – was holding over their heads.