Two couples in Michigan are facing several counts of child abuse charges for physically and mentally abusing dozens of children under their care.
Attorney General Dana Nessel stated in a press conference that Jerry and Tamal Flore and Joel and Tammy Brown conspired together to adopt dozens of children for personal financial gain.
“These children were subjected to routine and systemic mental and physical abuse in the homes of Jerry and Tamal Flore and Joel and Tammy Brown,” Nessel said. “The allegations in this matter are heinous and egregious.”
Over 30 children were placed in the two couples’ care through fostering or adoption. The couples received more than $1 million from the state tax-free after manipulating the adoption and foster care system.
Nessel said, “We believe that Joel Brown had used his decades of experience as a CPS employee to skillfully and successfully hide the abuse happening within his home and in the home of the Flore family. These incidents date all the way back to 2007.”
Nessel claims the case was initially referred to Clinton County Sheriff’s Department by child protective services after they received a complaint about suspected child abuse. However, following a preliminary exam, the charges against Joel and Tammy Brown and the charges against Jerry and Tamal Flore were reduced.
The Michigan Attorney General’s Office general took over the investigation earlier this year. They interviewed ten of the adopted children, multiple child protective services and DHHS employees, reviewed photos and videos from the home, as well as employment information and medical benefit records.
However, the office faced some challenges during their investigation as Nessel believed, “It is clear that many of the child witnesses in this matter were coached and that the investigation was compromised.”
“The reason why this abuse was able to go undetected in the Flore home, the home with the most significant and apparent abuse, was due to the fact that all the children were homeschooled,” Nessel added.
Joel Brown faces five charges including second and third degree child abuse and conspiracy to commit child abuse. Tammy Brown faces three charges in connection with the case, including one count of first-degree child abuse.
Tamal and Jerry Flore both face six counts of first-degree child abuse and three counts of second-degree child abuse, among other charges. Tamal is facing 18 total charges while Jerry faces 12.
Nessel said the couples have until Dec. 8 to turn themselves in.
