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Joseph Duggar will avoid jail time in his Arkansas child endangerment case after he and wife Kendra Duggar changed their pleas. 

The Counting On couple had originally pleaded not guilty to four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment. On August 10, they submitted a plea by order in the case, People reports. A judge has since placed the pair on a 12-month advisement period. If they complete that period without issue, including maintaining good behavior and avoiding any new offenses, the state will dismiss all charges against them. 

However, the deal is far from the end of Joseph Duggar’s legal problems. The child neglect charges stemmed from a search of his and Kendra’s home in March 2026 after he was arrested in Arkansas on suspicion of abusing a child in Florida. 

That Florida case is ongoing. Duggar has been 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. After his arrest in Arkansas, he was extradited to Florida, where he pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial. He was then released on a $600,000 bond. Duggar’s next court date in that case is September 15, WJHG reports.

Among the witnesses expected to testify for the prosecution at Duggar’s trial are his in-laws, Christina and Gene “Paul” Caldwell, as well as the alleged victim, who was 9 years old at the time the abuse occurred. He faces a possible life sentence if convicted. 

How to get help: If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 for free and confidential support.

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