Jana Duggar settles child endangerment charge out of court

Jana Duggar (l) with her mother, Michelle Duggar (r) (Photo: Instagram/Jana Duggar)

Former '19 Kids and Counting' star Jana Duggar has reached an out-of-court settlement in a child endangerment case.

Duggar, was charged last September with one misdemeanour count of endangering the welfare of a child. 

The 31-year-old changed her initial not guilty plea to guilty and has agreed to pay an $880 fine as part of the settlement, Fox News reports.

A clerk confirmed to People magazine that a settlement had been reached outside of the district court in Elm Springs, Arkansas.  

Court documents did not reveal specific details surrounding the citation, but the former reality star said on social media that a child she was babysitting "wandered outside alone" and that a passerby had then notified the police.

Duggar said the incident was an "accident" and that she was grateful the situation "ended safely".

"This resulted in a written citation and a follow-up with child welfare, who concluded that it was an accident and the child was unharmed," she said. 

"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.

"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 most to me."

News
Marriage is the safest relationship, latest figures suggest
Marriage is the safest relationship, latest figures suggest

Of the eight children murdered during lockdown, 7 were killed thanks to the actions of a step parent or new partner.

Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fifth year running
Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fifth year running

Abortion was legalised in Northern Ireland in 2019.

Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high
Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high

Across the country, people are looking to the church for help.

Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year
Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year

Isaiah 41:10 had the highest international engagement on YouVersion during 2025, while in the UK it was Jeremiah 29:11 that topped the list.