Joy-Anna Duggar Admits She’s ‘Struggling’ Amid Brother Joseph’s Sexual Abuse Case, Leaning on Her Faith

Joy-Anna Duggar is taking her brother Joseph Duggar’s arrest very hard.

“I am getting through all of this. I feel like every day it’s different, and I think that it’s probably been the hardest time I’ve ever gone through, honestly,” Joy-Anna, 28, said during a May 27 appearance on sister Jinger Duggar‘s podcast. “I think we’re all grieving in different ways, but I think every day just feels so heavy.”

“I’ve really been struggling honestly,” she continued, “and I think I’ve had to lean on the Lord more than I ever have, which is a good thing.”

Jinger, 32, agreed, saying, “You can’t plan for something like this. It’s so tough.”

The sisters’ remarks come two months after Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested and charged with 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. The disgraced reality star is accused of molesting a then-9-year-old girl during a family vacation to Florida in 2020.

He has since pleaded not guilty and was released on $600,000 bond.

“What has come out about my brother is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing,” Joy-Anna said in a March 28 statement shared via social media. “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.”

“What has come out about my brother is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing,” Joy-Anna shared following Joe’s March 18 arrest. “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.”

The Duggar family experienced a similar situation after eldest brother Josh Duggar was arrested and charged with receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material in December 2021. He was found guilty and sentenced to 12 years in federal prison in May 2022.