Jana Duggar Breaks Silence On Child Endangerment Charge, Shares The 'Raw Facts'

Jana Duggar is speaking out following the news that she was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor earlier this year.

On Tuesday, the 31-year-old "19 Kids and Counting" alum took to her Instagram Story to share the "raw facts" of the incident, which allegedly occurred in Arkansas on Sept. 10.

In her statement, Duggar said she decided to break her silence despite being a "private" person because "the media has been having a field day with it all." She then continued by listing the "facts" about what really happened.

"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 citation, as well as a follow-up with child welfare who concluded that it was an accident and the child was unharmed," she wrote.

"They recognized it was a case of a child slipping out of the house when you turn your back for a moment. It all happened so quickly and was scary. I am grateful for law enforcement and those who protect and serve our community," she continued.

Duggar clarified that she was "never arrested" but was "upset at [herself] that it had happened at all." She said she was just thankful that the incident ended safely.

Duggar was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor in Arkansas on Sept. 10, according to the Elm Springs District Country Clerk. The former TLC personality pleaded not guilty, and a court date has been set in January. If convicted, Duggar could face fines and up to 90 days in jail.

Hours before Duggar posted her statement, her sister Jessa Duggar Seewald came to her defense after news of the charges made headlines.

In a statement on her Instagram Story, Seewald, 29, stressed that the incident was "an innocent mistake." She shared the same story as Duggar and insisted that it "could've happened to anyone."

Referencing their older brother Josh Duggar's recent conviction, Seewald wrote, "The media is sensationalizing this because of other current family circumstance, and it makes me so mad. [Jana is] without question one of the most amazing women I know and I'd trust her with my kids any day of the week."

Their cousin, Amy Duggar King, also defended Jana, saying in a statement that the incident "couldn’t have been intentional."

Reports of Jana's legal trouble surfaced shortly after her brother Josh Duggar was convicted on two charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. The 33-year-old faces up to 20 years in jail and $250,000 in fines for each count.