BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. \u2014 Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Lt. Joel Kohnert, who is on administrative investigative leave without pay, appeared in Broward County court on Monday accused of child abuse. <\/p>\n
Broward prosecutors upgraded a case against Kohnert, 44, a father of seven, from child abuse without great bodily harm to aggravated child abuse, a severe first-degree felony in Florida. <\/p>\n
Kohnert and his wife, Jennifer Kohnert, stand accused of subjecting their 12-year-old adoptive daughter to \u201cmental and physical abuse\u201d for about three years in Coral Springs, according to a police officer\u2019s report.<\/p>\n
\u201cJennifer and Joel have been her caretaker since she was two-months old,\u201d a police officer wrote, according to an arrest report. <\/p>\n
The girl reported that her adoptive mother had \u201cpulled her hair, slapped her — causing her lip to bleed — and kicked her while she was on the ground … provided her with distressing information regarding her biological parents, including details of substance abuse and death,\u201d a police officer wrote, according to the report. <\/p>\n
A Florida Department of Children and Families investigator responded to the girl\u2019s school on Feb. 11 after she told a school resource officer that her parents were also locking her in a bedroom without access to a restroom, according to police. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe has been locked in her bedroom overnight and, at times, during the day. She stated that while confined overnight, she urinates on herself and, at times, defecates on herself … In the morning, she is required to bathe outside in the backyard while wearing a bathing suit, despite inadequate weather conditions,\u201d a police officer wrote, according to a report. <\/p>\n
The girl reported her parents gave her an air mattress, used a lock to secure the door from the outside, and used a sound machine at a high volume, according to the police report. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe is only allowed approximately three outfits at a time, which are kept in her room … she is forced to use her clothing to clean urine and feces using vinegar and bleach. After cleaning, she is required to wash the same clothing outside in a small bucket and then dry it in her room … she brushes her teeth in her room and is required to swallow the toothpaste,\u201d a police officer wrote, according to the arrest report. <\/p>\n
The girl also described her parents\u2019 punishments, according to police. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe has been required to tread water in the pool for extended periods, sometimes up to approximately 45 minutes, as a form of punishment,\u201d a police officer wrote, according to the report.<\/p>\n
The girl\u2019s siblings said she is usually in her room \u201cwriting Proverbs\u201d and rarely allowed to participate in \u201cnormal family activities such as eating meals or playing\u201d with them, according to police.<\/p>\n
\u201cI observed the bedrooms of the other children, which were clean, properly furnished, and contained toys and personal items. In contrast, [the girl\u2019s] room lacked decoration, contained minimal furnishings, and had a noticeable odor consistent with urine. The closet … was being used for storage of household items, including paint,\u201d a police officer wrote, according to the report. <\/p>\n
Kohnert, 45, told a detective who questioned her that the girl had \u201cmade threats toward the family\u201d about three years ago, and she had taken her to Joe DiMaggio\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital to have her admitted in December, but her request was denied after a mental health evaluation, according to police. <\/p>\n
Records show Kohnert, 44, who joined BSFR on Nov. 15, 2010, answered a detective\u2019s questions during the police investigation and said he was aware of the conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoel acknowledged that there was safety concerns associated with the victim\u2019s bedroom door and window being secured in a manner that restricted her ability to exit,\u201d a police officer wrote. \u201cThis practice is particularly concerning given Joel\u2019s professional background, where he would reasonably be expected to recognize the inherent safety risks associated with restricting a child\u2019s ability to exit a room during an emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n
Police officers arrested the Kohnerts on March 31 at their family\u2019s home in Coral Springs, and they posted a $100,000 bond on April 1, according to Broward County court records. <\/p>\n
Their defense attorney described them as \u201cdevout Christians\u201d and \u201cdevoutly religious\u201d during their first bond court hearing. Broward County Circuit Judge Corey B. Friedman ordered them to stay away from their children and firearms. <\/p>\n
Court records show Kohnert, 45, pleaded not guilty to child abuse on April 6. A judge issued a warrant for Kohnert\u2019s arrest on June 26. <\/p>\n
Kohnert, 45, faced six charges: Four counts of contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a minor, a first-degree misdemeanor; one count of child neglect without bodily harm, a third-degree felony; and one count of aggravated child abuse. <\/p>\n