CLINTON COUNTY, Mich. – A couple from Clinton County will stand trial on child abuse charges after prosecutors say they adopted children for money and abused them.
Jerry Flore, 58, and Tamal Flore, 56, both of Dewitt, were bound over to stand trial on criminal child abuse felonies, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. They are accused of adopting children for financial gain and abusing the children under the guise of discipline. The abuse dates back to 2007.
The Flores will be in court at 9 a.m. on Oct. 14, 2024.
Jerry Flore faces 11 charges
Jerry Flore is facing the following 11 charges:
- Six counts of first-degree child abuse (potential life-sentence felony);
- One count of first-degree child abuse committed in the presence of another child (potential life-sentence felony);
- One count of second-degree conspiracy to commit child abuse (10-year felony);
- One count of second-degree child abuse (10-year felony);
- One count of second-degree child abuse (10-year felony);
- One count of interfering with a crime report (1-year misdemeanor).
Tamal Flore faces 17 charges
Tamal Flore is facing the following 17 charges:
- Six counts of first-degree child abuse (potential life-sentence felony);
- One count of first-degree child abuse committed in the presence of another child (potential life-sentence felony);
- One count of second-degree conspiracy to commit child abuse (10-year felony);
- Two counts of second-degree child abuse (10-year felony);
- Six counts of third-degree child abuse (2-year felony);
- One count of interfering with a crime report (1-year misdemeanor).
The couple was charged in December of 2023 alongside Joel and Tammy Brown. Visiting judge James Borchard did not bind over the Browns on child abuse charges.
Joel Brown is a former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services employee. He worked within the Children’s Services Administration Office of Family Advocate. He is still facing one charge of interfering with a crime report, a 1-year misdemeanor, and one charge of failure to report child abuse, a 93-day misdemeanor.
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