Florida Firefighter and Wife Face Child Abuse Charges Over Alleged Confinement of Adopted Daughter
A Florida firefighter and his wife have been arrested and charged with child abuse after allegedly locking their adopted 12-year-old daughter in her bedroom for approximately three years, citing supposed religious reasons for their actions. Joel Kohnert, 44, and Jennifer Kohnert, 45, were taken into custody by Coral Springs police on Tuesday following an investigation that began on February 11.
Investigation Reveals Disturbing Details of Confinement
The investigation was initiated after the Florida Department of Children and Families met with a resource officer at the preteen girl's school. According to the arrest report, the child told authorities that her bedroom door had been locked from the outside for about three years, consistently overnight and frequently during daytime hours as well.
She reported having no access to a bathroom, which forced her to urinate and defecate on the floor. She was then allegedly compelled to clean up the mess herself using her clothing. The girl's window could not be opened, and investigators noted there were "no means of escape" from the room.
Religious Punishment and Psychological Abuse Alleged
The adopted daughter claimed she was forced to write Bible verses as punishment and was repeatedly told she was "bipolar like her biological mother." She alleged that her parents insulted her with derogatory names and that she slept on an air mattress with no toys, limited to wearing only three outfits.
According to the arrest report, if she received any money or clothing, her mother Jennifer would take it from her. The girl also described being punished by being forced to tread water in a pool for up to 45 minutes at a time.
Judge Rejects Religious Defense in Bond Hearing
During a bond court hearing on Wednesday, a defense attorney described the couple as "devout Christians" who were "devoutly religious," but Judge Corey Friedman firmly rejected this explanation.
"When you allegedly have 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," Judge Friedman stated emphatically.
Firefighter's Professional Background Raises Additional Concerns
Joel Kohnert serves as a lieutenant with Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, a fact that investigators noted raised particular concerns about his actions. "This practice is particularly concerning given Joel's professional background," an officer wrote in the arrest report.
The report continued: "He would reasonably be expected to recognize the inherent safety risks associated with restricting a child's ability to exit a room during an emergency." Joel has since been placed on administrative investigative leave without pay from his fire rescue position.
Siblings Confirm Isolation and Differential Treatment
The Kohnerts' six biological children were interviewed as part of the investigation and confirmed that their adopted sister was "locked in her room overnight, urinates and defecates on herself, and is required to bathe outside and wash her clothing."
All siblings advised investigators that they were not subjected to similar punishments. They reported that the girl spent "the majority of her time isolated in her room writing Proverbs" and was rarely allowed to participate in normal family activities, including meals and playtime with her siblings.
Mother Admits to Unusual Practices and Willingness to Return Child
During her interview, Jennifer Kohnert allegedly admitted to locking the girl in her room overnight and confirmed that her adopted daughter was made to "write Proverbs as punishment" and was required to bathe and wash clothing outside with limited access to indoor facilities.
The mother "acknowledged that these practices were unusual" according to the arrest report. She also stated that the young girl "would not thrive in her care" and that she would willingly return her to the state of Florida.
Additional Allegations of Physical Abuse
The arrest report contains further disturbing allegations beyond the confinement. One week before law enforcement intervention, Jennifer allegedly slapped her adopted daughter and pulled her hair, causing her lip to bleed.
The report states that Jennifer then mocked the girl and kicked her while she was on the ground. The young girl had been in the family's care since she was just two months old, according to investigative documents.
Legal Proceedings and Current Status
The Kohnerts were taken to the Broward County Main Jail following their arrest, with bonds set at $100,000 each. According to Broward County court records viewed by media outlets, the couple posted bond on Thursday.
Information for the Kohnerts' attorney was not immediately listed on court records as of Thursday. The Daily Mail has reached out to Coral Springs Police Department and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue for further comment on the case.
The arrest report indicated that the Kohnerts claimed they locked their adopted daughter in her bedroom because she "wandered the house and took items from family members." However, investigators found the extent and nature of the confinement to be far beyond reasonable disciplinary measures.
