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May 12, 2026
LANSING – Yesterday, Jessica Klimp, 45, pled no contest to two counts of First-Degree Child Abuse for abusing two of her adopted children, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Her co-defendant and husband, Jason Klimp, 47, pled no contest to two counts of First-Degree Child Abuse in March.
Jason and Jessica Klimp, formerly of Cadillac, are parents to four adopted children and four biological children. While the Klimp family was staying in a rented house in Tennessee in February 2024, one of their adopted children was taken to the University of Tennessee Hospital and later transferred to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital with symptoms of severe dehydration and malnutrition. Two of the adopted children were found to be severely underweight, were fed only liquified food, and had supervised access to food.
Following the incident, Michigan State Police executed a search warrant of the couple’s Wexford County home where authorities discovered a man-made straight jacket in the bedroom, security alarms on the bedroom door, and dog cages that appeared to have been used to confine the children. The couple was initially charged by the Wexford County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in February 2024.
“Kids deserve to grow up in a loving home free from abuse,” said Attorney General Nessel. “The cruelty that these children endured is heartbreaking, and while no outcome can erase the trauma, I hope these convictions will provide a sense of justice and healing.”
In related crimes in Tennessee, the defendants pled guilty to one count of Aggravated Child Abuse and were sentenced in October 2025 to 10 years’ incarceration. The couple was extradited from Tennessee to Michigan last year to face these additional charges. Their prison terms will be served concurrently with their Michigan sentences.
The couple’s parental rights have been terminated. Jason Klimp is scheduled to be sentenced in the 28th Circuit Court in Wexford County on June 16. Jessica Klimp’s sentencing date has not yet been set.
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