'It was an accident and the child was unharmed': Jana Duggar reveals she was charged with child endangerment after kid she was babysitting 'slipped out' of house while she 'turned her back for a moment'
- Last week, news broke that the 31-year-old was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, on September 9
- Jana has now released a statement, saying she was babysitting 'when one of the children wandered outside alone'
- A passerby called the police, who gave Jana a written citation which was followed up with a child welfare visit
- The official 'concluded that it was an accident and the child was unharmed'
- Jana said it was 'scary' but insists she was never arrested and is grateful to law enforcement
- She has accused the media of 'having a field day with it all,' saying she prefers 'a more private life'
- Her siblings Jessa, Jason, and James have also shown public support, as has her cousin Amy Duggar King
Jana Duggar has explained that her citation for endangering the welfare of a child was the result of a child slipping out of the house while she was babysitting — and while she said it was 'scary,' it was also an 'accident' and 'the child was unharmed.'
Last week, news broke that the 31-year-old was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, on September 9.
Jana — who has no children of her own but is frequently tasked with caring for her younger siblings, nieces, and nephews — entered a plea deal and is expected to appear in the Washington County District Court on January 10, DailyMail.com confirmed.
The news made headlines in the wake of her older brother Josh's conviction on child pornography charges, pushing Jana into the spotlight for an incident that had flown under the radar when it happened two months ago.
Now Jana has released a statement addressing the charge, insisting that she was 'certainly never arrested' and is mostly just 'upset at myself that it had happened.'
Jana Duggar has explained that her citation for endangering the welfare of a child was the result of a child slipping out of the house while she was babysitting
'I prefer a more private life, but I know my last name means that everything we do is open to public criticism and interest, especially during this time,' she wrote
'I'm only sharing this because the media has been having a field day with it all,' Jana wrote on her Instagram stories this morning.
'I prefer a more private life, but I know my last name means that everything we do is open to public criticism and interest, especially during this time.
'The raw facts: I was babysitting a few months ago when one of the children wandered outside alone. A passerby who saw the child called the police.
'This resulted in a written ciation, as well as a follow-up with child welfare who concluded that it was an accident and the child was unharmed. They recognized that it was a case of a child slipping out of the house when you turn your back for a moment.
'It all happend so quickly and was scary. I am grateful for law enforcement and those who protect and serve out community.
'I was certainly never arrested like some may have implied. In the end I was just upset at myself that it had happened at all, but so thankful it all ended safely and that's truly what mattered the most to me.'
Last week, news broke that the 31-year-old was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, misdemeanor, on September 9
'I was babysitting a few months ago when one of the children wandered outside alone. A passerby who saw the child called the police,' she explained
While Jana has no children of her own, she is frequently tasked with caring for her younger siblings, nieces, and nephews (pictured with a niece and newphew, plus her dad Jim Bob)
When reached by DailyMail.com, an Elms Springs District confirmed that Jana was cited on September 9, 2021 but would provide no further details.
It is unclear whose child slipped out of the house. Jana's younger siblings are all age 12 and older, but she frequently cares for several of her 22 nieces and nephews, who range in age from six weeks to 12 years old.
If convicted, she could face 30 to 90 days in jail behind bars or fines.
Meanwhile, her brother Josh, 33, is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of receiving and possessing child pornography last week.
Her father Jim Bob is currently running for Arkansas State Senate and is facing off against other Republicans in a primary election today.
Jim Bob actively campaigned through Josh's trial, and has posted on Facebook and Twitter several times in the past two weeks.
Jana's younger sister Jessa, 29, released her own statement on Instagram earlier today
She wrote: 'Getting messages about headlines about Jana. Bottom line - it was an innocent mistake'
'She's without question one of the most amazing woman I know and I'd trust her with my kids any day of the week,' Jessa said.
On December 11, he released a statement about Josh's conviction, saying he was 'heartbroken' — but he has not released a statement in support of his daughter.
While Jim Bob and Michelle haven't taken the opportunity to defend their oldest daughter, some of Jana's siblings have.
Jana's younger sister Jessa, 29, released her own statement on Instagram earlier today, writing: 'Getting messages about headlines about Jana. Bottom line — it was an innocent mistake.
'She was babysitting and one of the kids slipped out the door unnoticed, but it ended safely. Could've happened to anyone.
'The media is sensationalizing this because of other current family circumstances and it makes me so mad,' she went on, a rare instance of Jessa straying from the family's motto of 'keeping sweet.'
Support has also come in from two of her younger brothers. James, 20, shared a photo of Jana with the words 'I support Jana Duggar'
The post was also shared by Jason, 21, who added the words: 'Bro, same!'
Jana and her brother Jason are picturing leaving court after attending their brother Josh Duggar's child pornography charges
'She's without question one of the most amazing woman I know and I'd trust her with my kids any day of the week. Do me a favor — give the girl a break, and all you perfect humans go back to living your lives,' she said.
Jessa, who is married to Ben Seewald, has four children: Spurgeon, 6, Henry, 4, Ivy, 2, and Fern, 5 months.
Support has also come from two of her younger brothers.
James, 20, shared a photo of Jana with the words 'I support Jana Duggar' — which was also shared by Jason, 21, who added the words: 'Bro, same!'
Jason was one of Jana's 'buddies' in the family's buddy system, which Michelle implimented to help keep track of her children.
Each of the older girls — Jana, Jill, Jessa, and Jinger — was assigned two to three younger 'buddies' that they were in charge of taking care of.
Finally, cousin Amy Duggar King - who has been quite vocal in condeming Josh for his 'disgusting' crimes - came to Jana's defense as wel
'This couldn't have been intentional. Thank God the child was OK and found!'
Finally, cousin Amy Duggar King — who has been quite vocal in condeming Josh for his 'disgusting' crimes — came to Jana's defense as well.
'I will call out what is right and I will call out what is wrong,' Amy, 35, wrote in an Instagram Story.
'This couldn't have been intentional. Thank God the child was OK and found!'
'I bet you were exhausted, stressed and just emotionally worn out,' Amy went on.
'Watching multiple kids is hard! Bc there's so many of them and you only have two eyes! It's a very sad situation going on and my heart goes out to @janamduggar love you.'
Jana Duggar says child endangerment charge came when kid she was babysitting slipped out of house - Daily Mail
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