Joseph’s aunt thinks he and Kendra should “repent of their pride” following his child molestation charges.

Deanna Duggar wants Kendra to divorce Joseph after their arrests: ‘She needs a new life’

Joseph's aunt thinks he and Kendra should "repent of their pride" following his child molestation charges.

By Leigh Blickley

March 31, 2026 2:16 p.m. ET

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Deanna Duggar; Kendra Duggar. Credit:

Deanna Duggar/Instagram; Little Duggar Family/Instagram

Joseph Duggar's aunt Deanna Duggar wants to see his wife Kendra start a new chapter amid his prosecution on child molestation charges.

"The way I feel about it is, I think Kendra should divorce him," Deanna, who is family patriarch Jim Bob Duggar’s sister, told *Page Six *on Monday. "She needs a new life. The best thing to do would be to divorce him and go on with her life."

Joseph, 31, was arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older on March 18. Per the Bay County Sheriff's Office, Joseph is accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl several times during a family vacation to Panama City, Fla., in 2020.

The former TLC star has since entered a not guilty plea, waived arraignment on the charges, and requested a jury trial. His bail is set for $600,000 and he is due to return to court on April 20.

Kendra, with whom Joseph shares four children, was separately booked into the Washington County Detention Center on four charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and four charges of false imprisonment. (Joseph was hit with the same charges.) These charges were "totally unrelated" to the accusations of child molestation against Joseph, according to *PEOPLE* sources, and Kendra is "not suspected of participating" in that incident.

Her bond was set at $1,470, and she was released two hours later. She’s due back in court on April 29.

Kendra Duggar arrested as she and husband Joseph Duggar face new child endangerment charges

Joseph Duggar's new mug shot released after extradition to Florida

"I don’t know what the charges are going to be for Kendra. I don’t know, we’re all waiting to see. While my heart goes out to her, I know there has been some wrong decisions," Deanna told *Page Six*. "My prayers are for ... Kendra, for Joseph, for the whole family, wake up and repent of their pride, their feeling of the world is against them, get things right in their family…"

Deanna's daughter, Amy Duggar King, has also shared her stance on the legal situation. (Both women are estranged from Jim Bob and his wife Michelle Duggar due to their strict fundamentalist lifestyle.)

Joseph Duggar's mugshot.

Bay County Jail

After learning of Kendra's arrest, Amy said she stands with the couple's children and the alleged victim in Florida.

"That's what matters right now is the kids' safety ... That is where my heart lies and I'm just going to lay there," she told *TMZ*, calling the situation "heartbreaking."

"It's not about just the people who are inside this bubble that believe in this certain system, but it's people who loved them. And I loved Joe. I loved Kendra," Amy added. "The person that I thought I knew is not the person that he is today. And I will hold him accountable and I want justice to be served to the fullest."

Deanna said she hasn't seen Joseph in "a few years" but "went into shock" when she heard of his arrest.

"I couldn’t believe it was Joseph. This is so horrible to hear this again in the family," she told *Page Six*.

The eldest Duggar child, Josh, also has a history of sexual abuse and is currently serving a 12-year sentence for possessing child pornography.

Deanna noted that she keeps wondering "what is really going on" behind closed doors.

“I am like everyone else watching the news and going, ‘How can this happen again?’ I want people to know I am so burdened in my heart,” she said. "That sweet innocent girl who didn’t deserve this at all. It’s awful and horrendous. I am so baffled by everything that has happened. I have been walking around for days in shock. I pray justice is served. This travesty is beyond me."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter*.**

A spokesperson for the family told * *on March 30 that Jim Bob and Michelle are "heartbroken over this entire situation."

"Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time," the spokesperson continued. "They are praying for the victim. They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.”

*If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.*

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