Jennifer Wolfthal, children’s book author living in Florida, and her husband, Joseph Wolfthal, an engineer at Lockheed Martin, were sentenced to 10 years in jail upon pleading guilty to aggravated child abuse of their three adopted children. Jennifer who had written A Real Friend was charged with several allegations of child abuse and neglect.
The investigation started in 2021 when the couple’s 8-year-old adopted daughter was hospitalized in an unconscious state, suffering from organ failure and severe injuries. Diagnosed with pneumonia and liver failure, the child was found to be malnourished and covered in bruises, with a skin infection and multiple open wounds.
According to authorities, the injuries, such as a cracked tooth and split lip, did not appear to be caused by accidental falls. After Jennifer Wolfthal was arrested in the hospital, the other two adopted children of the couple, aged 9 and 11, were taken from their home.
House of Horrors
The children told the police how they were treated. They were locked in their rooms and subjected to severe punishments. One time, records show they were forced to write “I am a fool” several times.
There was also evidence that the starvation of the children was intended by forcing them to remain malnourished, showing bruising and general neglect. The bedroom door locks were installed backward; they were meant to lock inward.
Protecting the Victims
A State Attorney’s Office spokesperson said, “The Wolfthals will spend a long time in prison while it protects the already-traumatized victims from the stress of having to testify.”
In response to the news, the publisher of Wolfthal’s book announced the decision to cease its sale. “We were made aware of horrific news regarding one-time Clavis author Jennifer Wolfthal’s arrest and strongly condemn child abuse, abandonment, and neglect, today and always. We will do what’s within our power to cease commercialization of her book further,” the publisher said.
The case highlights the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children and ensuring justice for victims of abuse.
