Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo are seeking solace in prayer during a trying time. Less than a week after their brother Joseph Duggar and his wife Kendra were arrested, the couple shared their heartfelt reflections on the "devastating" situation their family is facing.
"We wanted to share some thoughts that have been on our minds this week, while also taking some time to process everything," Jeremy explained in the latest episode of The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast, which aired on March 25. "It's been a really difficult week for us to think through, pray through, and process this with our podcast."
Joseph was arrested in Arkansas on March 18 for allegedly engaging in "unlawful sexual activity" with a then-9-year-old girl during a 2020 family vacation in Florida. According to a press release issued by the Tontitown Arkansas Police Department. Days later, the 31-year-old and his wife Kendra—who share four children—were charged with four counts each of endangering a minor in the second degree and child endangerment in their home state. Kendra, 27, was arrested on March 20 but released later that same day. (Joseph remains in jail as he awaits extradition to Florida.)
For Jinger, 32, the past week since her brother's arrest has been "one of those weeks that feels like years." "I did not think my heart could break like it has this week," the mother of three shared. "The pain and heartbreak we've experienced over this, and just thinking about how it's affected so many others, is unimaginable. It's so hard and painful on many levels."
As Jeremy shared that they have been praying for the alleged victim in Joseph's sexual assault case, as well as for "Earthly justice" for all involved, Jinger admitted, "I don't even have words." "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 us help because you can't just be prepared for news like this."
Referring to their other brother Josh Duggar's 2021 arrest—he is currently serving 12 years in prison after being convicted of receiving and downloading child sexual abuse material—she emphasized that experiencing something "very similar" was not any easier. "The pain and hurt that is caused to us, but then to so many others is just so hard," Jinger added. "It's hard to know what to do sometimes moving forward. Once you feel the weight of it, it's a tough situation."
In the days since Joseph's arrest, several other Duggar family members—including an attorney for Josh as well as cousin Amy Duggar—have also spoken out. For their part, his sister Jill Duggar Dillard and her husband Derick Dillard shared that they were "shocked and heartbroken."
"Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family," the couple wrote in a March 20 statement. "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."
