Children’s author and spouse hurt adopted kids, face prison


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A Florida children’s book author and her husband entered guilty pleas for severely abusing their three adopted children, with both facing substantial prison sentences.

Jennifer Wolfthal, who wrote “A Real Friend,” and her spouse Joseph Wolfthal, employed at Lockheed Martin as an engineer, admitted to charges of aggravated child abuse and child neglect resulting in serious bodily harm on January 13, according to court documents.

The plea arrangement stipulates that Jennifer will serve 12 years in prison, while Joseph faces a 10-year sentence.

A representative from the State Attorney’s Office in Florida’s 18th judicial circuit explained, “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.” They added that law enforcement and the children’s current guardian supported the sentencing decision.

The case emerged in 2021 when their adopted 8-year-old daughter was hospitalized unconscious, suffering from organ failure and multiple injuries. Medical professionals noted suspicious circumstances, as documented in the police report: “Due to the height and weight of [the girl], it is not likely the swollen bruise on the back of her head and the laceration on her lip and broken tooth were caused by off balance falls.”

Upon investigating the family residence, law enforcement discovered two additional adopted children, ages 9 and 11, showing signs of abuse, including malnourishment and various injuries. The investigation revealed disturbing details, including bedroom doors with locks installed on the outside.

Further searches uncovered over 1,100 handwritten paragraphs stating: “My body stays flat on the bed at all times. I was never given permission to move or say anything. Now I get to write about this along with everything else. I am a fool.”

Investigators revealed that all three adopted children endured severe abuse. Following their rescue, the siblings were placed with a new family. Meanwhile, Wolfthal’s book remains available on Amazon, where reviewers now post links to news coverage of the abuse allegations.