WOLFTHAL Parents Charged with 9 Counts of Abuse, Neglect, and Imprisonment

Yesterday (Mar 18), prosecutors filed formal Informations charging both Jennifer WOLFTHAL (41), and her husband Joseph WOLFTHAL (39), with the abuse, neglect, and imprisonment of their three (3) minor children. Both were charged as follows: 

COUNT 1-3: False Imprisonment of Child Under Age Thirteen (F1 PBL) 787.02(3)(a)

COUNT 4-6: Aggravated Child Abuse (Causing Great Bodily Harm) (F1) 827.03

COUNT 7-9: Neglect of Child with Great Bodily Harm (F2) 827.03(2)(b)

Both defendants face possible Life sentences if convicted as charged.

Seminole County Sheriff's Deputies began investigating the WOLFTHALS after presenting one of their children at a local hospital with multiple life threatening conditions on January 1, 2021. Ultimately investigators discovered that all of the children in the home had been abused, neglected, and falsely imprisoned by the WOLFTHALS for years. Jennifer WOLFTHAL was arrested on January 1, 2021, and Joseph WOLFTHAL was arrested on January 25, 2021. Both entered not guilty pleas.

Jennifer WOLFTHAL was released on $151,000 bail, and Joseph WOLFTHAL on $210,000 bail pending trial. Both are restricted from contact with their children and each other.

No trial date has been set in this case. Please consult the Seminole Clerk of Courts website for updates on future court appearances by these defendants.