Stay-at-home Orlando father of 5 charged with child abuse

October 29, 2008

Susan Jacobson

Brian Kloosterman of Orlando and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Schreiner, with 2 of their 5 children, Christopher and Benjamin (COURTESY OF THE KLOOSTERMAN FAMILY / May 9, 2008)

A stay-at-home father of five who was arrested on suspicion of child abuse after his nanny called Orlando police has been formally charged.

Brian Kloosterman, 34, of Orlando was charged Friday with child abuse -- a felony -- and contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a minor -- a misdemeanor -- over an incident involving one of his sons that prosecutors say happened May 5.

According to a police report, the nanny said she saw Kloosterman, on a surveillance monitor, "snapping [the child] in the face with the little boy's own underwear" and pinning the screaming child to a bed.

A charging document says Kloosterman, a former emergency medical technician, "intentionally inflict[ed] physical or mental injury" on the boy.

A spokeswoman for Kloosterman and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Schreiner, a pathologist and hematologist who directs the flow-cytometry lab at Orlando Regional Medical Center, according to her physicians group's Web site, said the family is disappointed by the charges.

"But his [Kloosterman's] lawyers recognize this can also be a step toward acceptable resolutions of criminal charges for Brian. We will make every effort toward that end," said Marti Mackenzie, the spokeswoman.

Kloosterman and Schreiner are the parents of five young children, including four adopted from Guatemala.

The Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office investigated another child-abuse complaint against Kloosterman in 2007 involving a daughter, but no charges were filed. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Children and Families in May said "there was insufficient evidence to go any further."

After the second allegation in May, the children were placed in protective custody. Mackenzie said the family "is very close to reunification."

"After months of following all requirements and recommendations from DCF, including counseling, therapy and outside supervision, Brian is with his children every day," she said.

In a May statement, Schreiner described her husband as "a wonderful and dedicated father, a stay-at-home dad who could never intentionally hurt anyone."

Sarah Lundy of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Susan Jacobson can be reached at sjacobson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-540-5981.