Florida Children’s Author, Husband Sentenced for Child Abuse

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida children’s author known for writing about friendship and her husband have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to aggravated child abuse and neglect of their adopted children, authorities said.

Jennifer Wolfthal, author of the book “A Real Friend,” and her husband, Joseph Wolfthal, an engineer for Lockheed Martin, pleaded guilty on Jan. 13 to charges of aggravated child abuse and neglect of a child with great bodily harm. Jennifer was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Joseph received a 10-year sentence, according to plea agreements obtained by Fox News Digital.

“This 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,” a spokesperson for the State Attorney’s Office in Florida’s 18th judicial circuit said in a statement. “The State Attorney’s office made sure law enforcement and the children’s new guardian supported this sentence before it agreed to it.”

The investigation began in 2021 after the couple’s then 8-year-old adopted daughter was hospitalized with organ failure, unconscious and covered in injuries. Authorities also discovered two other adopted children, ages 9 and 11, showing signs of malnourishment, bruises, and neglect. Police noted that the children’s bedroom doorknobs were installed backward, with locks on the outside.

During a search of the home, investigators found more than 1,100 written paragraphs detailing disturbing instructions, including, “My body stays flat on the bed at all times. I was never given permission to move or say anything.” The children alleged they were subjected to severe abuse, including being spanked until they bled, doused in cold water, and locked in their rooms for extended periods.

Jennifer Wolfthal’s book, “A Real Friend,” was removed from sale by its publisher following the allegations. The couple’s adopted children have since been placed with another family.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential.