Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Lt. Joel Kohnert appears in court accused of child abuse

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Lt. Joel Kohnert and his wife Jennifer Kohnert face charges of aggravated child abuse and other offenses after their 12-year-old adoptive daughter reported severe physical and mental abuse, including being locked in a bedroom, forced to clean bodily fluids with harsh chemicals, and subjected to distressing information about her biological parents. Kohnert, on administrative leave, appeared in court as prosecutors upgraded the case to a first-degree felony.