A South Florida couple facing child abuse charges were back in court, where a judge examined the disturbing allgations. Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Lt. Joel Kohnert and his wife Jennifer were shackled while in court Wednesday. They are accused of locking a child inside a closet at their home for years. The Kohnerts were arrested for one count of child abuse without bodily harm after, authorities said, a now 12-year-old child was locked in a closet for three years. “Mr. Kohnert, good morning, sir. Similar as to your wife, you were charged with abuse of a child without great bodily harm,” said Broward Circuit Court Judge Corey B. Friedman. Investigators said the alleged abuse had been going on for years, and law enforcement wasn’t notified until the chiildren transferred from homeschool into the public school system. “They are devout Christians, they are devoutly religious, their beliefs on various topics may not chime with people in this courtroom, or maybe they do,” said the couple’s attorney. “I don’t get into the religious stuff. I stay away from that; I just have to apply the law,” said Friedman. “But when you’ve allegedly got a 12-year-old child who is locked in a room for upwards of three years and is forced to urinate and defecate in the room, and then clean it up with her clothes, that is not a religious issue, that’s something else.” “That’s also not true, and these folks are innocent until proven guilty. That fact is not true,” said the couple’s lawyer. “True, I do understand she is innocent until proven guilty, but the allegations here are difficult, to say the least,” said Friedman. The couple’s bonds were both set at $100,000 with no victim contact or access to firearms. “The bond for Ms. Kohnert will be $100,000, I’m going to treat them equally: It’s $100,000, no victim contact, no firearms, weapons or ammunition,” said Friedman. Broward Sheriff’s Office said Kohnert is now on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. Both have yet to post bond as of Wednesday afternoon. ...read more read less