Joseph Duggar and his wife, Kendra Duggar, spoke on many calls during his stay at the Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, after his arrest on child molestation charges in March 2026.
The recorded conversations — spanning several days — give insight into how the family is navigating his arrest years after his older brother Josh Duggar was sentenced on similar charges.
Joseph, for his part, was arrested on March 18, 2026, and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior, molesting a victim under 12 and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person over 18. He has pleaded not guilty.
Joseph and Kendra were also later charged with four counts each of false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a child.
What to Know About Joseph Duggar’s Wife Kendra’s Arrest for Child Engagement
“Kendra’s arrest has nothing to do with Joseph’s — although one precipitated another,” a source with knowledge of the case told Us Weekly on March 21, 2026. “After his charge, they automatically do a home study if minors live there. They came to her house.”
Us breaks down what we’ve learned so far from Joseph and Kendra Duggar’s jail calls:
Joseph and Kendra Duggar’s 1st Call
The earliest documented call took place March 20, when Joseph Duggar placed a collect call to Kendra Duggar from the Washington County Detention Center, according to audio obtained by Entertainment Weekly. Kendra told Joseph, “It’s good to hear from you,” and the couple discussed her whereabouts. Kendra indicated she was staying somewhere “private” after their arrests.
Joseph and Kendra Duggar Discuss Their Children
During a March 24 phone call from the Washington County Detention Facility, Kendra Duggar revealed she does not have their children. She described the emotional toll of the situation to husband Joseph Duggar, admitting, “I think Friday has probably been my hardest day, but that’s crazy to say because Wednesday was crazy hard.”
In a separate call, Kendra shared her plans for their kids, “I’ve been making plans in my head of what I feel like I need to do moving forward with [the kids], and probably try to get counseling for them,” according to audio obtained by Us.
The Duggar Family Reacts With Support and Disappointment
In a conversation from Thursday, March 26, released by TMZ, Kendra Duggar relayed the broader family’s feelings to husband Joseph Duggar. “Just know that everybody loves you, even if they’re disappointed,” she shared. Joseph acknowledged the “disappointment” but said he “absolutely” feels the love of his family.
Kendra Duggar Reveals She Hired Her Own Lawyer
According to an in-jail audio call obtained by People on Monday, March 30, the couple discussed their legal representation amid the child endangerment case. Kendra Duggar shared details about hiring her own legal counsel, a significant step that signals she is independently managing her legal situation apart from Joseph Duggar.
Joseph Duggar Says He’s Focused on Faith Behind Bars
Joseph Duggar told Kendra Duggar he was focusing on his faith and reading the Bible while in custody. He also described daily life and logistical challenges with communication. “I’m doing good,” he said. “They had so many people, like, 20 people, to check in this morning that I wasn’t able to [call].”
Joseph Duggar Talks About His Workouts and Diet in Custody
“I started working out,” Joseph Duggar shared with wife Kendra Duggar during a phone call in audio obtained by Us. “I’m doing my burn bootcamp-style workout now.”
Joseph said he wanted to keep himself busy while stuck in a “seven by 11-style” cell, adding, “I’m doing squats and push-ups. I can do dips off the edge of the bed.”
Joseph revealed he was also avoiding eating any “junk” food with the hopes of slimming down. “I’m not eating, like, hardly any of the bready stuff. I’m trying not to eat junk, mostly just eat the veggies and the protein stuff,” he told Kendra, noting that he didn’t feel “as bloated” as before.
Inside Anna Duggar’s Life as Husband Josh Serves 12-Year Prison Sentence
Kendra also shared that she was “trimming up.”
“I haven’t gotten on the scale, but I feel a lot trimmer now,” she said. “I’m not bloated either. I’m gonna be ‘skinny mini. I cannot eat. Mama keeps trying to get me to eat, but unless it’s liquid, it doesn’t really go down. It’s been a battle.”
Joseph Duggar Complains About ‘Miserable’ Jail Conditions
Joseph Duggar vented to Kendra Duggar about the conditions during his recent stay.
“I felt like [the] past two nights, like not last night, but the two nights before that, there [were] people up all night, and it was really loud and stuff, but so I didn’t get good sleep,” Joseph admitted during one phone conversation, per audio obtained by Us. “So yesterday was a little bit more miserable.”
“Sometimes I can’t even hear myself think whenever they’re next door,” he added, noting that the noise was “like getting hit by a jackhammer.”
During a separate call, Joseph said he struggled to get some shut eye because another inmate threw a “tantrum.”
Kendra Duggar Asks Joseph Duggar If He Needs Money
Kendra Duggar figured out how to get in contact with husband Josh Duggar via the jail system. “Oh, so [it] costs money for you to call me each time?” Kendra asked Joseph during a private exchange between the two while he was in custody, per audio obtained by Us. “Do you need more money?”
Joseph said he had $60 for phone and other privileges at the time. “I’m not gonna use it for anything else,” Joseph told his wife.
Michelle and Anna Duggar Have Reached Out
Kendra Duggar told Joseph Duggar she had been leaning on his mother, Michelle Duggar, for guidance during the difficult period. “Your mom and I, we got to visit this morning, and she was encouraging me with how to live humbly,” Kendra said during a call while Joseph was incarcerated at the Washington County Detention Center, according to People.
Separately, Anna Duggar, wife of Josh Duggar, emailed Joseph after his arrest to offer support, writing, “You’ve got our prayers. We love you — however we can help, please let us know.”
Anna also urged caution, advising Joseph not to discuss legal matters unless he was with an attorney — a notable piece of guidance given the family’s prior experience with Josh’s own legal issues.
Joseph was extradited from Arkansas to Florida on March 27. He was later released from the Bay County Jail in Florida on March 31 after posting bond.
