A Florida firefighter and his wife, described as “devout Christians,” are accused of subjecting their adopted daughter to years of harsh treatment, according to police. Joel Christopher Cornert, 44, and Renee Cornert, 45, allegedly forced the 12-year-old to clean up after herself following messes in her bedroom.
The abuse reportedly began about three years ago under the guise of “discipline” and only came to light recently. Authorities disclosed this information in an arrest report, noting that the couple’s actions were particularly disturbing.
It is said that the girl was often locked in a room at night because her parents claimed she would wander the house, supposedly stealing from other family members. In fact, she wasn’t allowed to leave her room even to use the bathroom and had to resort to urinating or defecating on the floor.
The next day, she would have to wipe her clothes down with vinegar and bleach before washing them in a bucket outside, as stated in the documents. Her living conditions were minimal—sleeping on an air mattress with almost no furniture or toys—while a sound system was kept loud, preventing her from hearing anything else happening in the house.
The alleged punishments for the girl included mandatory swimming for 45 minutes and writing Bible verses. Reports indicate that her adoptive mother sometimes physically assaulted her, pulling her hair, slapping her face, and kicking her.
During a court appearance, the Cornerts’ lawyers challenged the accusations, portraying the couple as individuals guided by their strong religious beliefs. However, the judge was not convinced and set their bail at $100,000.
He remarked that confining a child for more than three years, to the point where she must soil herself, isn’t a matter of religion—it’s something far more serious.
The victim had been home-schooled prior to starting school, where staff began to suspect potential abuse. Christopher Cornert has been a public servant since 2010, currently serving as a Lieutenant with the Broward County Sheriff’s Rescue Fire Department.
The couple now faces charges of child abuse, although it appears no physical harm was inflicted. Meanwhile, they have been placed on administrative leave, and all seven of their children were removed from their custody.
