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Josh Duggar’s Sister and Her Husband Call Verdict ‘Just’; Other Family Members Respond

The family of Jim Bob Duggar, August 12, 2007. Jim Bob Duggar, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Josh Duggar’s sister, Jill Dillard, and her husband Dereck, have posted a statement responding to yesterday’s verdict finding Josh Duggar guilty of receiving and possessing child pornography. Jill has gone on record as being one of the girls that Josh molested when he was a teenager. 

“Today was difficult for our family,” said the Dillards in a statement posted Thursday, Dec. 9. “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.”

UPDATE: Josh Duggar Found Guilty of Possessing Child Pornography

Josh Duggar Verdict Prompts Statements From Family 

The Dillards’ statement focused on the pain the situation has caused, as well as the justice accomplished through the trial. The Dillards observed that “we are all equal at the foot of the cross, and, likewise, we are all equal under the law,” citing Luke 12:1-3 where Jesus warns of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and says that everything secret will be made known. The couple also quoted Proverbs 17:15, which says, “Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the LORD detests them both.”

“We have been lied to so much that we wanted to hear the evidence for ourselves in court,” said the Dillards. “After seeing all the evidence as it was presented, we believe that the jury reached a just verdict today, consistent with the truth beyond a reasonable doubt.” They concluded:

Josh’s actions have rippled far beyond the epicenter of the offense itself.  Children have scars, but his family is also suffering the fallout of his actions. Our hearts are sensitive to the pains Josh’s wife, Anna, and their seven children have already endured and will continue to process in the future. This trial has felt more like a funeral than anything else. Josh’s family has a long road ahead. We stand with them, we are praying for them, and we will seek to support them however we can during this dark time.     

Josh’s parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, posted a brief statement Thursday that said:

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 [child sex abuse materials].

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. In each of life’s circumstances, we place our trust in God. He is our source of strength and refuge. Thank you for your prayers.