JESSA Duggar and her husband, Ben Seewald, are joining the outpouring of family statements, following brother Josh’s conviction on child pornography charges.
Jessa, 29, along with her sister Jill, 30, came forward in 2015 to admit she was one of Josh’s victims.
In an Instagram Story, her husband Ben shared their thoughts in a statement.
It read: “From the moment we learned of this case against Josh we have prayed that God would cause the truth to be made known, no matter what it was, and that the facts would be followed wherever they lead.
“We are grieved beyond words over the children exploited and abused in child sexual abuse material, and we are thankful for our justice system in its punishment of such evils.
“Our hearts break for Josh’s family and we ask your continued prayers for them in the unfathomable grief and pain they are enduring.”
Jessa, 29 and Ben have been married since 2014, and are parents to four children: sons Spurgeon and Henry and daughters Ivy and Fern.
The Counting On alum was present at her brother’s trial, and previously even tried to make excuses for him.
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In a 2015 interview with Fox’s Megyn Kelly, Jessa, who said she was 9 or 10 years old when Josh molested her, explained: “I do want to speak up in his defense against people who are calling him a child molester or pedophile or a rapist.
“I’m like, ‘That is so overboard and a lie really.’ I mean, people get mad at me for saying that, but I can say this because I was one of the victims.
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“In Josh’s case, he was a young boy in puberty and a little too curious about girls. And that got him into some trouble.”
TRIAL’S END
After a nearly two week trial, Josh was found guilty of child pornography charges on Thursday, December 9, and taken immediately into custody.
The 33-year-old was arrested and charged earlier this year with receiving and possession of child pornography.
The jury reached its verdict on Thursday morning after beginning deliberations on Wednesday afternoon.
The ex-TLC star now faces up to 20 years behind bars on each guilty count. He is expected to be sentenced in four months.
Josh’s lawyers said Thursday they plan to appeal the case.
JILL AND DERICK SPEAK OUT
Ben and Jessa’s message follows a more critical one earlier in the day by sister Jill and her husband, Derick Dillard, who slammed Josh as they said “nobody is above the law.”
The couple also admitted that Josh’s child pornography trial “felt like a funeral.”
Jill, 30, and Derick, 32, took to their family website to share a statement on the matter.
The statement began: “Today was difficult for our family.
“Our hearts go out to the victims of child abuse or any kind of exploitation.
“We are thankful for the hard work of law enforcement, including investigators, forensic analysts, prosecutors, and all others involved who save kids and hold accountable those responsible for their abuse.”
The statement continued: “Nobody is above the law. It applies equally to everybody, no matter your wealth, status, associations, gender, race, or any other factor.
“Today, the people of the Western District of Arkansas made that clear in their verdict.
“As a Christian, we believe we are all equal at the foot of the cross, and, likewise, we are all equal under the law.”
AMY KING RESPONSE
Josh’s cousin Amy King tweeted that “justice has been served” following the verdict announcement.
“May the juror’s and Judge Brooks seek healing / counseling from all that was exposed to them,” her statement on Twitter began. “May the children grow up with real Godly men as father figures who will guide and protect them. May the people who were once in disbelief have their eyes opened for the first time.”
“May the daughters who were abused feel validated,” she continued. “You are truly beautiful and worthy of love. May there be intense counseling / healing. May there be wisdom for all those involved on how to move forward. Thank you Jesus. Justice has been served.”
MOM AND DAD SPEAK
A day earlier, shortly after the verdict was read, father Jim Bob, 56, and mother Michelle, 55, took to their family’s website to share their own statement.
The statement read: “This entire ordeal has been very grievous. Today, God’s grace, through the love and prayers of so many, has sustained us.
“Our hearts and prayers are with anyone who has ever been harmed through CSAM.”
The statement continued: “In the days ahead, we will do all we can to surround our daughter-in-law Anna and their children with love and support.
“As parents, we will never stop praying for Joshua, and loving him, as we do all of our children.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
