Deanna Duggar, the sister of reality television patriarch Jim Bob Duggar, has called for a comprehensive investigation into her brother's entire family following the recent arrest of her nephew, Joseph Duggar. Deanna stated in a recent interview that she believes Jim Bob, his wife Michelle, and all of their 19 children should be "checked out."
Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested in March on multiple charges of unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The allegations stem from incidents that allegedly occurred during a family trip to Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2020, involving a nine-year-old girl. Joseph Duggar has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He also faces separate charges for false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child, which emerged from a broader investigation.
Deanna Duggar expressed her belief that the issues within the family "stem from somewhere" and suggested that the children "should be in therapy," indicating a belief that they may have suppressed past traumas. Her daughter, Amy King, who has cut ties with the family, echoed these sentiments, describing the actions of Joseph and Josh Duggar as "sickening" and incomprehensible.
This call for investigation comes after another son of Jim Bob and Michelle, Josh Duggar, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison in 2022. He was found guilty of receiving and possessing child pornography. The Duggar family rose to prominence through the TLC series "19 Kids and Counting," which aired from 2008 to 2015, and its spinoff "Counting On," which ran until 2021. The shows documented the family's life as members of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), an organization known for its strict rules governing members' lives.
Both Deanna and Amy Duggar were featured on the reality programs but have since distanced themselves from the wider family. Deanna mentioned that Jim Bob attempted to reconcile with her at an uncle's funeral, but she indicated that any future reconciliation would require strict boundaries. Amy stated that she has nothing in common with her uncle as long as he continues to adhere to IBLP principles and does not prioritize child protection.