Kendra Duggar's Parents to Be Deposed in Joseph Duggar Assault Case

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Amy Duggar King Reveals Why She Spoke With Joseph Duggar's Alleged Victim

Joseph Duggar’s in-laws are set to be deposed in his criminal investigation.

Four months after the 19 Kids and Counting alum was arrested for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl during a family vacation in 2020, his lawyer alerted the court that the defense will interview his wife Kendra Duggar’s parents Paul Caldwell and Christina Caldwell.

In a July 17 court filing obtained by E! News, Joseph’s lawyer Albert J. Sauline shared that his team will interview Kendra’s parents as well as two law enforcement officials in Panama City, Fla., on Sept. 14 for “purposes of discovery.”

Joseph’s next court date in the case is set for Sept. 15 in Panama City, per local news outlet WJHG.

After Joseph was arrested and charged in March with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person over 18—to which he has pleaded not guilty—Kendra’s parents shared they were “troubled and heartbroken” by their son-in-law’s alleged actions. 

"We are devastated for the young girl, a child who was courageous in every way to share her truth,” they shared on Instagram in April. “We stand by her, both in support and prayer, and forever will."

Paul and Christina also shared that they are focused on supporting the unnamed girl, who was 14 years old as of March. 

Office of the Sheriff Washington County, Arkansas

"Our love for this child remains at the forefront of our family’s priorities and minds," they continued. "We are proud of her for being strong enough to share her story while also retaining her own identity and joy."

Shortly after Joseph’s arrest in Florida, he and Kendra—who share four children—were arrested and charged with child endangerment and false imprisonment charges, which Paul and Christina also addressed in their statement. (Joseph and Kendra have both pleaded not guilty.)

“At the same time, we also recognize how traumatic this incident has been for our grandchildren as well and continue to pray for their strength,” they shared. “Our love for them, and our daughter Kendra, remains.”

For what other members of Joseph’s family have said about his arrest, keep reading… 

Duggar Family/Instagram

Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar

Joseph Duggar's parents broke their silence in a statement on March 30.

“Jim Bob and Michelle are heartbroken over this entire situation,” a spokesperson for the Duggar family told Us Weekly. “Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time."

The spokesperson added that the couple was "praying for the victim. They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.”

Instagram

Jill Duggar Dillard & Derick Dillard

“We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill’s brother (Joseph Duggar’s) arrest,” the couple wrote in a blog post March 19. “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. We are shocked and heartbroken.”

Derick and Jill—who spoke out against the family in the 2023 book Counting the Cost—said they “strongly condemn abuse.”

Kris Connor/Getty Images

Josh Duggar

"Josh understands the stigma of being accused," his attorney told the Daily Mail in a story published March 20. "He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction."

Noting that Josh—who is serving 12 years in prison for child pornography—is "not in frequent communication" with Joseph, the attorney said the former TLC star "hopes and prays for his brother's well being in this difficult time."

Instagram/Jana Duggar

Jana Duggar Wissmann & Stephen Wissmann

"We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the situation involving my brother, Joseph," Jana and her husband said in an April 2 statement shared on Instagram Stories. "This news came as a shock to us, as we have no prior knowledge before it became public."

The countinued, "Our hearts are with the child who has been harmed—this is a grievous and unacceptable wrong. We continue to pray for the victim and for justice to be carried out."

Insatgram/Jason Duggar

Jason Duggar & Maddie Duggar

The couple, who married in 2024, said they are "angered" by the "unthinkable" actions of his brother Joseph.

"We, like many, have spent the week completely shocked, confused, and grieved to list a few emotions," Jason and Maddie said in a statement shared on Instagram March 26. "We are disgusted to hear the news about my brother, however, this isn't about how it's impacted our lives. Our hearts are burdened because a child's life has been turned upside down due to evil actions of someone who should have never hurt the vulnerable."

"Maddie and I have always had a special place in our hearts for the vulnerable around us, and we will continue to do so," their message went on. "To fathom that someone would abuse their authority to harass the innocent is vile."

They asked for prayers for the "brave" victim as well as Joseph's family, saying, "His children must face the reality of losing a father that should have been a spiritual leader in their lives."

Instagram

Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth

"What has come out about my brother is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing," Joy-Anna wrote on her Instagram Stories March 26. "My heart is with the victim, and I am grieved by the pain and harm caused. I have been a wreck this week and am taking time to process." 

She added"I will be taking some much-needed time with my family."

Jinger Duggar Vuolo/Instagram

Jinger Duggar Vuolo & Jeremy Vuolo

As Jeremy put it in March 25 episode of The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast, “It’s been a really difficult week for us to process and think through and pray through this with the podcast.”

As for Jinger—who moved to Los Angeles with Jeremy in 2019—she said, “I did not think my heart could break like it has this week,” adding, “The pain and heartbreak that we’ve had over this and just thinking of how it’s affected so many. It’s just unthinkable. It’s so hard and painful on many levels.”

“It’s hard,” she continued. “All we can do in those moments is cry out to God and ask him to sustain us and give help because you can’t just be prepared for news like this.”

Amy Duggar King/Instagram

Amy Duggar King

"I am sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry," Joseph's cousin said in a March 20 statement to People. "My first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe, protected and surrounded by people she could trust."

Amy explained she was "utterly shocked to hear about these allegations and Joseph’s arrest."

"For years, I have spoken out about the importance of truth, accountability and protecting children, even when it meant going against my own family," she added. "Family ties should never equal automatic trust or access, especially when it comes to the safety of children."

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