Kendra Duggar Reveals the Moment Her Children Were Taken Following Arrest
Kendra Duggar has faced significant challenges following the arrest of her husband, Joseph Duggar, on child molestation charges. However, she confesses that the most difficult part for her is losing custody of her children after her own arrest.
“Friday was probably the hardest day for me, which sounds odd since Wednesday was also really tough,” Kendra, 27, shared with her husband, Joseph, 31, during a phone conversation from prison, as reported by Us Weekly on April 8, sourced from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Her remarks likely referred to her arrest on March 20 for allegedly endangering a minor’s welfare, and Joseph’s arrest on March 18 for purportedly sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl in 2020.
Kendra expressed that the Friday arrest hit her the hardest because it meant she was separated from her four children—sons Garrett and Justus, and daughters Addison and Brooklyn.
“When they took my babies away, it was crushing, as they were my focus during this time,” Kendra told Joseph, who responded by affirming that their children are her “purpose” in life.
She concurred, stating, “It still is.” Kendra, who wed Joseph in 2017, expressed disbelief that her children had to be taken away while her home was under investigation.
“I was just stunned. I still can’t fully grasp it. It feels surreal to not have them around, and yet it’s like, ‘Oh, this will all be over soon,’” Kendra recounted during the call. A source had previously informed Us that Kendra’s arrest was unrelated to Joseph’s molestation charges.
An insider noted that following Joseph’s charges, authorities conducted an automatic home study, during which they allegedly discovered that “two of the bedrooms had a doorknob lock on the outside.” Kendra was arrested due to allegedly “wrongly detaining her kids,” according to the source.
Us confirmed on March 18 that Joseph was arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving molestation of a minor under 12 years old, alongside lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by an adult.
After being moved from an Arkansas jail to a Florida prison, Joseph entered a not guilty plea for all charges. He posted a $600,000 bail and was released on March 31.
In addition to the molestation case, both Joseph and Kendra were charged last month with multiple counts of endangering a minor’s welfare and false imprisonment following her arrest and subsequent release.
Joseph Duggar, Kendra Duggar. Image courtesy of Joseph and Kendra Duggar/Instagram
Before his release and reunion with Kendra, Joseph commended her for “handling things exceptionally well” during their recorded phone call. He mentioned that “everyone” has told him she’s managing the situation with grace.
“It’s like a small miracle. Anyone who says that, I know it isn’t me speaking, as I genuinely don’t know how I’m holding it together after everything,” Kendra admitted on the call. “My mom keeps saying, ‘This is just God’s grace being showered upon you.’ She insists I’m strong and that I’ll get through this. It’s been overwhelming.”
Kendra reflected on both of their arrests and expressed, “I really don’t know how I managed through that.”
“It has to be God’s grace sustaining me, just enough for each day, as they told me,” she continued. “When I consider the future, I feel so overwhelmed and uncertain. But everyone reminds me, ‘Just take it one step at a time. Focus on today.’”
Joseph told Kendra he was approaching the uncertainties similarly. “I’m not dwelling on future possibilities; I’m simply focusing on what I need to do today,” he stated.
Kendra reiterated to her husband that she still feels the emotional weight of their recent “ups and downs,” but she recognizes it as part of their journey.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you suspect child abuse, please reach out to the Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
