‘Intentions were not pure’: How Joseph Duggar, accused of sexually assaulting a minor, confessed to accuser’s father on phone call

A fresh update has emerged in the case involving reality TV star Joseph Duggar, who is accused of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl multiple times during a family vacation in 2020. The father of the minor, who accused Joseph of sexual abuse, was asked to get him to confess just hours before his arrest.

According to a copy of the arrest warrant affidavit filed by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) in Florida, which was obtained by PEOPLE, Joseph allegedly first confessed to his accuser’s father on the night of March 17, 2026. The next day, the minor victim sat down for a forensic interview with a detective from the Tontitown Police Department (TPD) in Arkansas. She "described several incidents of sexual abuse," according to the affidavit.

The affidavit stated that the "sexual abuse" allegedly occurred when the minor female was 9 years old. The incident took place during a 2020 family vacation to Panama Beach City.

Minor reveals chilling details

During the forensic interview, the minor allegedly told the detective that the “19 Kids and Counting” star would cover the two in a blanket and then "pull the victim’s dress up and touch the victim’s thighs," the affidavit stated. It further revealed that he would then "touch the top portions of her thighs and would inch higher and higher, closer to the victim’s waistline."

Amid all this, Joseph allegedly "grazed" the victim’s private parts while his "hand was outside of her underwear," the affidavit said, as quoted by PEOPLE.

Joseph apologizes for his actions

The alleged victim said Joseph later "apologized to her for his actions," per the affidavit, and no "incidents" occurred after that time. The interview with the minor female, who is now 14 years old, and the detective was then shared with the BCSO because the incident took place in that jurisdiction.

Joseph confesses to the accuser's father

After Deputy Sheriff Darrell Norris learned about the incident and heard the details from the accuser, he "requested the detective and victim’s father call Joseph," PEOPLE reported, citing the affidavit.

Joseph allegedly "admitted his actions, stating he touched the victim over her clothing" during the call with the two and also "admitted his intentions were not pure."

The contents of that call were included in the affidavit, which a judge signed off on, granting the BCSO an arrest warrant that was sent to police in Arkansas, who subsequently took Joseph into custody. Joseph was booked into the Washington County Sheriff's Office on March 18.