Joseph and Kendra Duggar showed off their “toned” bodies at the disgraced reality star’s recent prison call, where she faces child sexual abuse charges.
In a 20-minute prison call obtained exclusively by Page Six, Joseph revealed to his wife that he had “started training” in prison.
“I train burn boot camp style,” he said with a laugh. “I live in a 7×11 style (cell) and I thought I might as well do something. Squats, push-ups, jumping off the edge of the bed. … I’ve done all those things.”
She also revealed that she is “trying not to eat junk” and focusing on “vegetables and protein.”
“I hope you get in shape in the process,” he joked, and Kendra said with a laugh.
She added with a chuckle.
But Kendra said she is “very weak” and “can barely walk” because she can’t eat.
Joseph also described how he felt “encouraged” after reading the Bible.
“The first day I had a really hard time reading the Bible,” he said. “I started reading the Bible today. I felt anxious this morning, but now I feel very encouraged. Please read the Bible.”
They also described how their fellow inmates were throwing “vulgar” tantrums as the pair giggled over the story.
Kendra went on to praise the Duggar family for their support despite multiple family members slamming Joseph on social media.
“Your family is such a great support network,” she said. “They’re very supportive of me. I’m really well taken care of.”
The call turned romantic, as Kendra complained to her husband about the harsh conditions in prison, then told him, “Oh, I’m so sorry. I love you. Let’s see where God takes us through all of this. I hope we come back stronger.”
He replied, “I think so. Eventually we will realize how much we need him. This is a good place. It’s always good to rely on God.”
“Oh, baby, I just wanted to hear your voice. Just do it. You sound so strong over there. I don’t know how you do it,” she replied.
This phone was more uplifting compared to previous phones obtained by Page Six.
Kendra told her husband, “I think Friday was probably the hardest day, but it’s weird to say that because Wednesday was so damn hard.” Kendra notes that Joseph was arrested on Wednesday, March 18th, and Kendra was taken into custody on Friday, March 20th.
In a separate call, Kendra told the “Counting On” alum that her four children are her biggest “priority.”
The children appear to be in the care of loved ones, according to phone calls to the prison.
Joseph, 31, was arrested in Arkansas on March 18 on suspicion of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl.
He was charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a victim under 12 years of age and lewd and lascivious acts with a person over 18 years of age.
He was extradited to Florida earlier this week and has pleaded not guilty. He was released on $600,000 bail and ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors.
The incident allegedly occurred in Panama City Beach, Florida, during a family vacation in 2020.
In a court affidavit obtained by Page Six, Joseph’s alleged victim, now 14, told authorities that Joseph sexually abused her during the trip.
Joseph faces additional charges from the state of Arkansas. Four second-degree counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and four second-degree counts of false imprisonment on March 20. Kendra faced similar charges and was released on bail after turning herself in.
They are scheduled to return to court on the Arkansas charges in April.
As Kendra stood by her husband, her aunt Deanna Duggar begged him to divorce her.
“My feeling is that Kendra should divorce him. She needs a new life. The best thing for her is to divorce him and move on with her life,” the sister of family patriarch Jim Bob Duggar told Page Six in an exclusive interview.
She added, “While I feel sorry for her, I know it was a bad decision. I pray for the victims. For Kendra, for Joseph, and for the whole family, please wake up and repent of their pride, their public sentiments, against them and do right by them…”
Jim Bob and Michelle broke their silence about their son Joseph’s arrest in a statement obtained by Page Six, saying they were “heartbroken” by the entire situation.
“Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and the children during this difficult time,” the statement read in part. “They have asked for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers that so many have offered.”
