Jana Duggar has shared the "raw facts" of her recent citation with law enforcement amid the "public criticism and interest" she has faced. The 31-year-old had pleaded not guilty after being charged with a misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child.
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The former reality star however revealed that she had been "babysitting a few months ago when one of the children wandered outside alone" and "a passerby who saw the child called the police". "This resulted in a written citation as well as a follow up with child welfare who concluded that it was an accident and the child was unharmed," she shared with fans on social media, adding: "It all happened so quickly and was scary."
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"I was certainly never arrested," she concluded, sharing that she was "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."
The alleged violation took place on 9 September and a trial by judge is scheduled for 10 January.
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Arkansas court records revealed that on 23 September Jana pleaded not guilty through an attorney. If found guilty she faces up to three months behind bars and fines of up to $1,000.
The revelation came a day after her older brother Josh was found guilty of being in receipt of child pornography.
Jana shared a statement on social media with fans
"The media is sensationalizing this because of other current family circumstances and it makes me so mad," Jessa Seewald (nee Duggar) shared on Sunday, referencing brother Josh's conviction.
"She's without question one of the most amazing women 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."
Jana had pleaded not guilty
"I will call out what is right and I will call out what is wrong. This couldn't have been intentional," added Amy King, Jana's cousin whi has been an outspoken critic of the family.
"I bet you were exhausted, stressed and just emotionally worn out," she added.
"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."
Anna welcomed their seventh child weeks before the trial
A jury spent around four hours deliberating before coming back with their verdict on Josh Duggar's trial. The father-of-seven now awaits sentencing; he could be facing 20 years in prison with fines up to $250,000.
After a 2019 raid on his Arkansas car dealership, the former reality star willingly turned himself in on 29 April 2021.
He had pleaded not guilty. The seven-day trial saw his wife Anna in attendance every day.
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