"Counting On" star Jana Duggar isn't denying that she's involved in a child endangerment case in court and has entered a plea of "not guilty." While she is due to be in a hearing in January 2022, Duggar revealed that the authorities have determined "it was an accident."
Speaking with E! News, the reality TV star, the eldest daughter in the popular Duggar family, confirmed that she was charged in September for child endangerment. However, court documents will show that the child welfare staff on the case determined that she had no intention of harming the child she was looking after.
Duggar said that she was babysitting some children when one of them got outside. Someone saw the child alone in the streets and called the cops, resulting in a citation and a follow-up investigation from the child welfare staff.
An Innocent Mistake
Jessa Duggar Seewald, the younger sister of Jana, also broke her silence to defend her sister. Jessa posted an Instagram story stating that what happened was "an innocent mistake" and that it could happen to anyone taking care of more than one child. Jessa said that the media sensationalized the incident without realizing that her sister is "one of the most amazing women" in their large family.
Jana may face up to three months in prison if she is convicted of child endangerment, but she clarified that she was never arrested during the accident despite some reports in the media. Her court date isn't until January 2022.
The TV star also thanked the authorities for handling her case with the professionalism she expected. She added that what matters is the child in question was not harmed and was home safe. It's unclear who Jana was babysitting for.
Josh Duggar's Conviction
Jana's legal troubles came after her brother, Josh Duggar, was convicted of child pornography and possession of child pornographic materials. He is currently awaiting his sentence, and reports cited that Josh could face up to 20 years in prison.
Sources close to the family said that the Duggars are divided and "torn apart" over Josh's guilty verdict. While parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar try to stay strong for their daughter-in-law, Anna, and their grandchildren, some of the Duggar siblings are disappointed and horrified with Josh.
During the trial, friends of Josh testified that the pastor's son admitted to them that he molested young girls in his teenage years. Two of his sisters, Jessa and Jill Duggar Dillard, revealed in 2015 that Josh inappropriately touched them.
Jill expressed her gratitude for the law enforcement that worked on this case against her brother. Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth also released a statement saying that she and her husband agreed with the verdict and thanked the people who worked tirelessly to bring this case to justice.
"When a professing follower of Jesus is exposed as a hypocrite, the response of many will be to challenge the integrity of Jesus himself," posted another sister, Jinger Duggar Vuolo, on their Instagram account.
Jessa and Jana have yet to issue a statement about Josh's conviction.
