BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — 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.

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.

Kohnert and his wife, Jennifer Kohnert, stand accused of subjecting their 12-year-old adoptive daughter to “mental and physical abuse” for about three years in Coral Springs, according to a police officer’s report.

“Jennifer and Joel have been her caretaker since she was two-months old,” a police officer wrote, according to an arrest report.

The girl reported that her adoptive mother had “pulled 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,” a police officer wrote, according to the report.

A Florida Department of Children and Families investigator responded to the girl’s 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.

“She 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,” a police officer wrote, according to a report.

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.

“She 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,” a police officer wrote, according to the arrest report.

The girl also described her parents’ punishments, according to police.

“She has been required to tread water in the pool for extended periods, sometimes up to approximately 45 minutes, as a form of punishment,” a police officer wrote, according to the report.

The girl’s siblings said she is usually in her room “writing Proverbs” and rarely allowed to participate in “normal family activities such as eating meals or playing” with them, according to police.

“I observed the bedrooms of the other children, which were clean, properly furnished, and contained toys and personal items. In contrast, [the girl’s] 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,” a police officer wrote, according to the report.

Kohnert, 45, told a detective who questioned her that the girl had “made threats toward the family” about three years ago, and she had taken her to Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital to have her admitted in December, but her request was denied after a mental health evaluation, according to police.

Records show Kohnert, 44, who joined BSFR on Nov. 15, 2010, answered a detective’s questions during the police investigation and said he was aware of the conditions.

“Joel acknowledged that there was safety concerns associated with the victim’s bedroom door and window being secured in a manner that restricted her ability to exit,” a police officer wrote. “This practice is particularly concerning given Joel’s professional background, where 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.”

Police officers arrested the Kohnerts on March 31 at their family’s home in Coral Springs, and they posted a $100,000 bond on April 1, according to Broward County court records.

Their defense attorney described them as “devout Christians” and “devoutly religious” during their first bond court hearing. Broward County Circuit Judge Corey B. Friedman ordered them to stay away from their children and firearms.

Court records show Kohnert, 45, pleaded not guilty to child abuse on April 6. A judge issued a warrant for Kohnert’s arrest on June 26.

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.

Related report: Broward Fire Rescue lieutenant, wife accused of confining daughter, 12, to room for years

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