A Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue lieutenant and his wife were arrested Tuesday by Coral Springs police on charges of child abuse without great bodily harm. Joel Christopher Kohnert, 44, and Jennifer Renee Kohnert, 45, are accused of locking their 12-year-old adopted daughter in a bedroom for about three years, according to arrest reports.
The investigation began in February after allegations that the girl was locked in her room at night because family members said she wandered the house and took items. Arrest reports say she had no bathroom access, was forced to clean up urine using her clothing, vinegar and bleach, and was made to wash her clothes in a bucket outside. Investigators said she was wearing toddler-sized underwear when she was removed from the home.
The girl told investigators her door was locked from the outside, her window was restricted and she was kept in the room during the day at times. She also said Jennifer Kohnert pulled her hair, slapped her and kicked her, and that she was made to tread water in the pool for up to 45 minutes as punishment.
At a Broward bond court hearing Wednesday, the defense described the couple as devout Christians and disputed the report. The judge said he believed the charge should be aggravated child abuse and set bonds at $100,000 each. The couple must have no contact with the girl, their biological children or any other minors. The Florida Department of Children and Families has removed the children from the home.
BSO said Joel Kohnert was hired in November 2010 and is on administrative investigative leave without pay.
