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Florida Firefighter Couple Abused Adopted Daughter
2 Apr
Summary
- Parents allegedly locked a 12-year-old girl in her room for three years.
- The girl was reportedly forced to urinate and clean her messes in her room.
- The couple were arrested on child abuse charges in late March.
In Florida, a firefighter and his wife were arrested on March 31, 2026, on charges of child abuse. Joel Kohnert, 44, a lieutenant with Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, and his wife, Jennifer, 45, are accused of subjecting their adopted 12-year-old daughter to severe abuse for the past three years.
Authorities began investigating the couple in February 2026 after receiving a tip that the girl was being locked in her bedroom overnight to prevent her from stealing. During this alleged confinement, the girl was reportedly denied access to a bathroom and forced to urinate on the floor. Detectives stated the Kohnerts made the girl clean the mess herself.
The homeschooled child also allegedly endured other forms of abuse, including being made to bathe outside in inadequate weather conditions and being physically assaulted by her mother. The girl's living conditions were described as spartan, with only an air mattress and no toys, and a sound machine set to drown out noise. The child has since been removed from the home.
