Kendra Duggar and her husband Joseph Duggar exchanged emails while he was in custody at the Washington County Detention Facility in Arkansas
Credit: Joseph and Kendra Duggar/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
- Joseph Duggar exchanged emails with wife Kendra Duggar while in custody at the Washington County Detention Facility in Arkansas
- In the emails, the two spoke mostly of their love for one another, but also referenced a psalm that speaks about “arrogant foes” and a song dealing with an “enemy” who “keeps whisperin’ to me”
- Joseph and Kendra are set to appear in court on April 29 after they were charged with four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment
Kendra Duggar stayed in constant contact with her husband Joseph Duggar while he was in custody at the Washington County Detention Facility in Arkansas.
In addition to their daily phone calls that lasted as long as 40 minutes some days, the two also exchanged emails to say how much they loved one another.
Records obtained by PEOPLE show that on March 23, Kendra and Joseph spoke on the phone for 30 minutes. That call ended at 8:06 a.m., and 10 minutes later Joseph wrote an email to his wife that read, "hopefully this finds you well. love you sweetie!"
Credit: Washington County Sheriff’s Department
Joseph did the same thing on March 24, emailing Kendra shortly after the two got off the phone that morning, records show.
"[G]reat talking with you today! i always love getting to hear your voice! hope you have a wonderful grade filled day!"
He then told Kendra in the email that he is reading "Psalm 54" and "replacing the personal pronouns with your name!" because "that passage has brought me great comfort!"
That psalm reads in part: "Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me — people without regard for God. Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them."
On March 25, Kendra wrote back: "It is good to talk to you! Love you!!"
The following day, on March 26, Joseph emailed a "<3" to his wife. Kendra later sent the final email exchanged between the couple before Joseph was extradited to Florida.
"Your favorite song:) I hope these words play in your mind over and over. I love you<3," she wrote that day.
She then included the lyrics to "The Truth," a Christian song by Megan Woods.
"How many times can you hear the same lie before you start to believe it?" the song begins. "The enemy keeps whisperin' to me, I swear these days, it's all that I'm hearin'."
Credit: Washington County Sheriff’s Department
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The couple is back together in Arkansas after Joseph was released from custody on a $600,000 bond in Florida where he is charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior.
Those charges were filed after Joseph allegedly confessed to sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl during a 2020 vacation to Panama City Beach, according to an affidavit filed in the case and obtained by PEOPLE.
Joseph has yet to be arraigned, but did submit a written plea of not guilty to the court.
He and Kendra are also preparing for an April 29 court hearing in Arkansas after the pair were charged with four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment.
Those charges are unrelated to Joseph's Florida case, and were filed after a search of the couple's home on March 19 by the Tontitown Police Department and Arkansas Department of Human Services.
Joseph's parents Jim Bob and Michelle were "heartbroken over this entire situation," a spokesperson for the Duggar family previously told PEOPLE.
"Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time," the statement continued. "They are praying for the victim. They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.”
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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