Arrest report reveals disturbing details of child abuse case in Casselberry

Dave McDaniel

CASSELBERRY, Fla. —

Disturbing new details have been released in a child abuse case involving a couple from Seminole County.

A couple faces several charges as investigators continue to hear from the three children involved.

Jennifer Wolfthal, a children's book author, was back in front of a judge at the Seminole County jail Wednesday afternoon.

She now faces new charges of false imprisonment.

Her arrest came after an 8-year-old, allegedly in her care, needed to be hospitalized for severe injuries in January. Wolfthal said the injuries came from slips and falls. Medical staff didn't believe the explanation.

Law enforcement often relies on teachers and counselors to report signs of abuse. In this case, the sheriff's office says the children were homeschooled.

Joseph Wolfthal, 39, was arrested this week. His arrest report includes horrifying details about the three kids, ages 8, 9 and 11 at the Casselberry home.

According to the report, one child says both adults would "spank her in the same spot to the point of drawing blood," and that there was a device of choice to deliver corporal punishment the child a whacker.

One of the children says she was told she couldn't stop sinning.

Other things alleged to have happened at the home include breakfast consisting of bran flakes, water and vegetable puree, punishment for not eating and mandatory exercise in their rooms.

The report indicates one child didn't eat her first meal until 3 p.m. one afternoon.

Two of the children said at night they'd have "cold water poured over them while they laid in bed" on a plastic mattress cover.

One of the children claims to have asked Joseph for bandages for her open wounds and she would get spanked.

The 8-year-old has been in the hospital for nearly a month.