Joseph Duggar Seeks Court Approval to Enter Restricted Area Near Accuser’s Former Home

Joseph Duggar, a former star of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On, has asked a Florida court to let him go within 500 feet of the home of the girl who accused him of child molestation.

Duggar, 31, was arrested in March in Bay County, Florida. Authorities say he inappropriately touched a girl during a family vacation in Panama City in 2020. According to investigators, Duggar later admitted guilt when confronted by the girl’s father. He has pleaded not guilty.

As part of his release conditions, Duggar was ordered to stay at least 500 feet away from the alleged victim. In a new court filing, his lawyers argue the family no longer lives at the property and say Duggar needs access to nearby properties he owns to perform maintenance work.

The filing says Duggar wants to mow lawns, repair walls, paint, and install flooring at six properties located within the restricted area. His lawyers stated he is not seeking contact with the alleged victim.

The request comes days after Duggar also asked a court to allow unsupervised visits with his children. He is currently barred from unsupervised contact with anyone under 18.

Duggar and his wife, Kendra, also face separate charges in Arkansas related to child endangerment and false imprisonment. Those charges are unrelated to the Florida case.

A pre-trial hearing in the Florida case is scheduled for July 14.