Jamestown, TN – A Tennessee couple has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated child abuse and neglect of their two adopted daughters, who were found malnourished, underdeveloped, and forced to sleep on storage containers in a cold basement.
The Incident: Children Found Malnourished and Neglected
According to the 8th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, Jason Klimp, 45, and Jessica Klimp, 43, were arrested after authorities discovered severe neglect inside their Fentress County home in February 2024.
Responding officers were called when one of the couple’s adopted daughters collapsed at home. Her father allegedly placed her in a cold shower to try to revive her. Paramedics said the girl appeared to be 6 or 8 years old based on her size but was actually 12.
Her body temperature was just 95.6°F, and her skin was discolored, according to testimony from first responders. The child was in such poor condition that she was airlifted to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
Investigators later found that the girl and her younger sister were malnourished and severely underweight, describing the conditions in the home as “inhumane.”
Investigation and Evidence: Life Inside the Klimp Home
Authorities learned through interviews that the two adopted girls were denied normal meals and forced to eat from bottles. One of the victims told police she and her sister had to eat this way because their parents claimed they “ate too much and would get sick.”
Investigators also discovered that the girls were forced to sleep on plastic totes in a 60-degree basement without blankets as punishment for bedwetting.
“They were treated like they didn’t deserve basic human care,” one investigator said during the court hearing.
Police confirmed that eight children lived in the home — four adopted and four biological. Only the adopted girls were subjected to the extreme neglect and punishment.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
On Monday, both Jason and Jessica Klimp pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse and neglect. They were each sentenced to 10 years in prison, officials confirmed.
The sentencing came after months of investigation and testimony detailing the psychological and physical abuse endured by the victims. The couple will serve their sentences in their home state of Michigan, under the terms of their plea agreement.
The court also ruled that the Klimps are permanently barred from contacting the victims or having custody of any children in the future.
Statements and Community Reaction
The case has shocked residents of Fentress County, where community members expressed disbelief that such abuse could occur in their rural neighborhood.
Child welfare advocates have condemned the couple’s behavior, calling it an example of systemic failure in adoption oversight.
“These children were failed at multiple levels,” said a Tennessee child protection spokesperson. “Adoptive parents have a duty to nurture, not punish, and these girls suffered unimaginable cruelty.”
The Department of Children’s Services confirmed that the remaining six children from the Klimp household were removed and placed under protective care following the arrests.
Background and Legal Context
Under Tennessee law, aggravated child abuse and neglect involving serious injury is a Class A felony, carrying a maximum sentence of 15 to 25 years. Prosecutors accepted a 10-year plea deal after weighing the victims’ ongoing recovery and the parents’ agreement to relinquish all parental rights.
Experts say the case underscores the need for greater monitoring of adoptive households, particularly those with multiple children and reported disciplinary issues.
Child protection organizations are urging reforms to improve post-adoption welfare checks and psychological screening for prospective parents.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Both victims are now in foster care and receiving ongoing medical treatment and counseling. Officials said their health has significantly improved since being removed from the home.
The Michigan Department of Corrections confirmed that Jason and Jessica Klimp will serve their full sentences without parole for the first eight years.
Prosecutors added that the investigation into potential adoption fraud or financial exploitation is ongoing, though no additional charges have yet been filed.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Jason and Jessica Klimp brings partial closure to a case that exposed severe child neglect and abuse hidden behind closed doors. Authorities say the punishment reflects the gravity of the suffering endured by the victims, while advocates continue to push for stronger child welfare safeguards to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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