FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – A South Florida couple facing child abuse charges were back in court, where a judge examined the disturbing allgations.<\/p>\n
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Lt. Joel Kohnert and his wife Jennifer were shackled while in court Wednesday. They are accused of locking a child inside a closet at their home for years.<\/p>\n
The Kohnerts were arrested for one count of child abuse without bodily harm after, authorities said, a now 12-year-old child was locked in a closet for three years.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Kohnert, good morning, sir. Similar as to your wife, you were charged with abuse of a child without great bodily harm,\u201d said Broward Circuit Court Judge Corey B. Friedman.<\/p>\n
Investigators said the alleged abuse had been going on for years, and law enforcement wasn\u2019t notified until the chiildren transferred from homeschool into the public school system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are devout Christians, they are devoutly religious, their beliefs on various topics may not chime with people in this courtroom, or maybe they do,\u201d said the couple\u2019s attorney.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t get into the religious stuff. I stay away from that; I just have to apply the law,\u201d said Friedman. \u201cBut when you\u2019ve allegedly 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\u2019s something else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s also not true, and these folks are innocent until proven guilty. That fact is not true,\u201d said the couple\u2019s lawyer.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrue, I do understand she is innocent until proven guilty, but the allegations here are difficult, to say the least,\u201d said Friedman.<\/p>\n
The couple\u2019s bonds were both set at $100,000 with no victim contact or access to firearms.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bond for Ms. Kohnert will be $100,000, I\u2019m going to treat them equally: It\u2019s $100,000, no victim contact, no firearms, weapons or ammunition,\u201d said Friedman.<\/p>\n
Broward Sheriff\u2019s Office said Kohnert is now on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.<\/p>\n
Both have yet to post bond as of Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
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