A Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue lieutenant and his wife have been arrested in Florida in a disturbing child abuse case involving allegations of years of confinement and mistreatment of their 12-year-old adopted daughter, according to law enforcement officials.
Jennifer Renee Kohnert, 45, and Joel Christopher Kohnert, 44, were taken into custody Tuesday and each charged with one count of child abuse without great bodily harm.
A Broward County judge has since initiated proceedings that could terminate their parental rights, citing the seriousness of the allegations, according to Local 10.
The case came to light after a Department of Children and Families investigator responded to a Coral Springs school in February following concerns raised by a school resource officer.
During the investigation, the girl reported being confined to her bedroom for extended periods over two to three years, often without access to a bathroom, forcing her to relieve herself in the room and clean the area using her own clothing.
Court documents state the bedroom was secured from the outside and the window was restricted, leaving no clear means of exit.
She also described sleeping on an air mattress in a minimally furnished room with few personal belongings and limited access to basic necessities.
Authorities say punishments included writing Bible verses and being forced to tread water in a pool for extended periods, sometimes up to 45 minutes.
Officials also highlighted a stark contrast between her treatment and that of the couple’s biological children, who were not subjected to similar conditions.
Authorities emphasized that Joel Kohnert’s role as a firefighter raised additional concerns, noting he would be expected to recognize the risks associated with restricting a child’s ability to exit a room during an emergency, The Independent reported.
During bond proceedings, Broward County Judge Corey Friedman rejected any suggestion that the alleged actions could be justified by religion.
“When you allegedly have got a 12-year-old child who is locked in a room for upwards of three years and is forced to urinate and defecate in the room and then clean it up with her clothes, that is not a religious issue, that is something else,” Friendman said, according to Local 12.
Prosecutors said evidence supporting the allegations includes statements from the couple’s biological children as well as physical observations made by investigators, including a strong odor of urine in the room.
Authorities also noted that the child reported being physically assaulted in the days leading up to the investigation, including being struck and kicked, which contributed to the urgency of the case.
All children in the home have since been placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.
Officials said the agency is continuing to assess the situation while ensuring the safety and well-being of those involved.
Neighbors expressed mixed reactions, with some voicing disbelief and others describing the allegations as deeply troubling.
One neighbor defended the couple as “awesome parents,” while others said the accusations were difficult to reconcile with the family’s outward image.
Joel Kohnert, who has been employed with Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue since 2010, has been placed on administrative investigative leave without pay.
A judge set bond at $100,000 for each defendant and ordered that they have no contact with the alleged victim or any minors, as well as no access to weapons.
A hearing is scheduled for next week to determine custody arrangements for the remaining children as the case proceeds through the courts, where additional details are expected to emerge.
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