Amy Duggar King Believes 'Something Major' Likely Happened to Make Cousin Josh Duggar the Way He Is (Exclusive)

The eldest Duggar sibling is currently in prison for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materials

Amy (Duggar) King believes there is a reason that her cousin Josh Duggar has landed in prison.

U.S. Marshals arrested Josh, 36, on April 29, 2021, for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materials. He was convicted on December 9, 2021, and sentenced on May 25, 2022.

Before that incident, the former 19 Kids and Counting star garnered controversy after it was revealed that he molested multiple young girls, including sisters Jill (Duggar) Dillard and Jessa (Duggar) Seewald, as a teenager.

"I believe that something traumatic has to happen in order for your brain to even go near that situation," Amy, 37, tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I don't know what that traumatic event or events was. I think it stems down and it's just so heartbreaking all the way around."

Related: What We Know About the Child Pornography Case Against Josh Duggar, Which He Denies

"I don't know what has happened to Josh," the mother of one continues. "If you ask me, though, I think that something major has maybe happened to him, obviously very, very much so."

"I don't know why or how or what that looks like, but I know that something's up and something is very wrong," she adds.

Josh is set to remain at FCI Seagoville Federal Prison in Texas until October 2032. He already attempted to appeal his case but it was denied, and almost two more months were added to his nearly 13-year sentence.

From Amy's perspective, she doesn't believe someone with Josh's condition "can be rehabilitated."

"I don't really know what I want [him to get] out of prison," she says. "I want him to stay as long as he can because he can't hurt children. He can't view that disgustingness and his kids hopefully are safe as well."

Related: Amy Duggar King Hopes Cousin Josh Duggar Endures 'Torture' in Prison: 'He Deserves Every Second' (Exclusive)

However, Amy notes, "I hope every day there is absolute torture for him."

"I really hope that because what he watched and what he was viewing for his own fulfillment is those kids experiencing torture," she says. "He deserves every second in there, and I hope he gets a longer term. I hope he messes up again."

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Going forward, Amy plans to continue keeping her distance from Josh and family members who have chosen to stand behind him.

"As far as reaching out or getting involved in any kind of way, I have chosen not to, not at all, just to protect my peace and my family and my little boy," she concludes. "That's what matters to me, and that's what I'm going to put as a priority."

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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