Florida Children’s Book Author And Husband Sentenced For Abusing Their 3 Adopted Kids… 8-Year-Old’s Organs Failed After Being Beaten Unconscious

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The author of a children’s book and her husband pleaded guilty to abusing their adopted kids for years on Monday.

Jennifer and Joseph Wolfthal appeared in Seminole County court on what was supposed to be the first day of their trial. Instead, they each pleaded guilty to several counts of aggravated child abuse and neglect of a child with great bodily harm. Prosecutors agreed to drop three other counts of kidnapping.

The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office started investigating the couple in 2021 after one of their adopted daughters was brought to the hospital in complete organ failure, unconscious, and covered in injuries.

Detectives interviewed the children, who said they suffered daily abuse. One said she was spanked with a device called a “whacker” to the point of bleeding. Their food consisted of “a mixture of bran flakes cereal, water, and vegetable puree,” and sometimes they weren’t fed until 3 p.m.

They said the Wolfthals also restricted their access to the bathroom and “they would have cold water poured over them while they lay in bed.”

Investigators said the couple refused to get medical care for the kids.

In court, the judge noted that they could have been given more than 100 years in prison based on the charges. But prosecutors agreed to a sentence of 12 years for Jennifer Wolfthal and 10 years for Joseph.

Prosecutors also said the children’s new guardian did not object to the sentences. The kids are said to be in much better health since they were removed from the Wolfthal’s custody.

The State Attorney's Office said the plea and sentencing agreement "ensures that the Wolfthals will spend significant time in prison while it protects the already-traumatized victims from the stress of having to testify." - WESH NEWS | Posted by Thrillz