Former couple sentenced for abusing adopted children in Michigan and Tennessee cases

A former couple from Cadillac have been convicted of abusing two of their adopted children and will serve prison sentences in Michigan that run concurrently with terms they are already serving in Tennessee for related crimes.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on Tuesday (June 16) that Jessica Klimp, 45, and Jason Klimp, 47, were sentenced in Wexford County’s 28th Circuit Court after pleading no contest to two counts each of first-degree child abuse.

Jessica was sentenced to eight years, three months, and four days in prison, while Jason received eight years, three months, and nine days.

The sentences were structured under a plea agreement to align with the defendants’ existing 10-year prison sentences in Tennessee, where they were convicted in a related case.

The case stemmed from an incident in February 2024 while the family was staying at a rental home in Tennessee.

One of the couple’s adopted children was taken to the University of Tennessee Hospital before being transferred to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital with symptoms of severe dehydration and malnutrition.

Investigators determined that two of the adopted children were severely underweight, were fed only liquid food, and had access to food only under supervision.

The investigation expanded to Michigan when the Michigan State Police executed a search warrant at the family’s Wexford County home.

Authorities reported finding a straitjacket in a bedroom, security alarms installed on a bedroom door, and dog cages that appeared to have been used to confine children.

The Wexford County Prosecutor’s Office initially charged the couple in February 2024.

In a separate but related Tennessee case, the defendants pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated child abuse and were sentenced in October 2025 to 10 years in prison.

They were later extradited from Tennessee to Michigan to face the additional child abuse charges.

Jason and Jessica were the parents of four adopted children and four biological children.

Authorities said the couple’s parental rights have since been terminated.