Joy-Anna Duggar‘s husband, Austin Forsyth, sent his brother-in-law Joseph Duggar a supportive letter following Joseph’s child molestation arrest.
“I would like you to know that I like you,” Austin, 32, wrote in emails obtained by Us Weekly during Joseph’s stay in Arkansas’ Washington County Detention Center. “Jesus loves you, and continues to attract you closer to Him.”
Joseph was arrested on March 18 on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior, molesting a victim under 12 and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by an individual over 18. He has pleaded not guilty.
A 14-year-old victim got here forward to Arkansas police with allegations that Joseph, 31, molested her when she was 9 years old during a vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida in 2020.
4 additional counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, second degree, and 4 counts of second degree false imprisonment were levied against Joseph and his wife, Kendra Duggar, over completely separate allegations in Arkansas.
In his email to Joseph, Austin insisted that he was not prepared to debate the small print of his brother-in-law’s legal case.
“I don’t wish to discuss your issues over these communications. You’ll want to only be talking to your attorney,” Austin wrote to Joseph. “Please know that God works despite the sin of man for his good.”
He continued, “I’m praising God that we began getting closer to you guys throughout the last 12 months and a half. He knew that Kendra was going to need assistance. We are going to, and are helping her!”
Austin’s wife, Joy-Anna, initially broke her silence about her brother’s arrest on March 26.
Joseph Duggar on “Counting On.” Courtesy YouTube/TLC
“What has come out about my brother is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing,” she wrote via Instagram on the time. “My heart is with the victim, and I’m grieved by the pain and harm caused.”
Joy-Anna, 28, added, “I actually have been a wreck this week and am taking time to process … Thanks on your prayers.”
Austin shouldn’t be the one member of the Duggar family to achieve out to Joseph behind bars. Joseph has discussed his prison workout routine and potential legal strategies together with his wife Kendra in multiple phone calls released in recent weeks.
Joseph also received supportive emails from his older brother Josh Duggar’s wife Anna Duggar. Josh, 38, is currently serving a 151-month prison sentence for receiving and possessing child pornography in 2022. (Josh maintains his innocence.)
Anna Duggar became a member of the expansive Duggar family after marrying eldest son Josh Duggar in 2008. Nearly 20 years after Anna and Josh tied the knot, the 19 Kids and Counting alum was arrested in 2021 for receiving and possessing child pornography. Josh, who has continued to keep up his innocence, was convicted in […]
“You’ve got our prayers. We love you — nonetheless we may also help, please tell us,” Anna, 37, wrote to Joseph, 31, on March 21. “I believe I put some money in your books. I don’t remember how phone calls and video calls work.”
She went on, “Please let me know if I may also help get things arrange so you may call and talk with Kendra. Just remember, don’t discuss anything legal unless you might be with an attorney. Every little thing said in these messages, phone calls and video chats are recorded and turned over to prosecutors.”
Joseph was extradited from the Washington County Detention Center in Arkansas to Florida’s Bay County Jail on March 31 ahead of his upcoming trial.
If you happen to or someone you understand has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you happen to or someone you understand is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.