Joy-Anna Duggar says she's 'heartbroken' over brother Josh's child-porn charges
Joy-Anna Forsyth (née Duggar) and her husband Austin spoke out about the child porn allegations against her brother Josh Duggar over the weekend.
According to People, Joy-Anna shared the statement on behalf of herself and Austin to her Instagram stories on Saturday.
"The recent accusations brought against Josh sadden us to our core," the statement said. "We have not wanted to be hasty in making any statements while trying to process the news ourselves."
"We are especially heartbroken by the reality that there are children in the world being harmed and exploited," the couple wrote, concluding, "We ask for prayer for all those involved and it is our continued prayer that the truth comes to light."
Representatives for the Duggar family didn't immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.
Several other Duggars have made public statements since Josh's arrest on child-porn charges
Joy-Anna isn't the only member of the Duggar family to break her silence on the allegations Josh is currently facing.
"We appreciate your continued prayers for our family at this time," parents Jim Bob and Michelle said in a statement posted to the Duggar family website on April 30.
"The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious," they continued. "It is our prayer that the truth, no matter what it is, will come to light, and that this will all be resolved in a timely manner."
The Duggars concluded their statement by reiterating their love for Josh and his wife, Anna, and said they'd be praying for their family.
In addition to his parents, a few of Josh's siblings have spoken out as well.
In a statement to Insider the same day, Josh's sister Jill and her husband Derick Dillard said, "This is just very sad for our family."
Jinger, another of Josh's sisters, and her husband Jeremy Vuolo, shared a statement via Instagram on April 30: "We are disturbed to hear of the charges against Josh."
"While this case must go through the legal system, we want to make it clear that we absolutely condemn any form of child abuse and fully support authorities and judicial process in their pursuit of justice," the statement continued.
Josh was arrested in late April and pleaded not guilty to child pornography charges
Josh was arrested in Arkansas by the Washington County Sheriff's Office on April 29. He later pleaded not guilty to charges of receiving and possessing child pornography.
Federal prosecutors said in a press release that Josh "allegedly used the internet to download child sexual abuse material" in 2019. Some of that material involved children under the age of 12, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said he could face 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 if convicted of the charges.
Duggar was released from jail into the custody of family friends on Thursday as he awaits trial.
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