Two Michigan couples have been arrested in an alleged scheme to adopt dozens of children for “financial gain” — and then secretly subject some of them to “systemic mental and physical abuse,” officials said.
DeWitt couple Joel Brown, 54, and Tammy Brown, 53, and Jerry Flore, 58, and Tamal Flore, 56, were charged Monday with 36 counts of child abuse, the Detroit News reported, citing Attorney General Dana Nessel.
The charges, filed in Clinton County, were brought against the four suspects after evidence was obtained related to “the abuse of eight of the dozens of children adopted through their home since 2007,” the AG’s office said.
The couple “easily manipula(d)” the subsidy system and fostered children to collect more than $1 million tax-free,” Nessel said, adding that they had either adopted or fostered about 30 children who had been in abusive homes.
“These children have suffered prolonged, routine and systemic mental and physical abuse under the guise of discipline, and all for personal financial gain,” Nessel alleged, WLNS reported.
Jerry Flore and Tamal Flore were charged with 36 counts of child abuse. Facebook / Tamal Flore
“The allegations in this matter are vile and appalling,” he added. “Children in our foster care or foster care system often come from unbelievable situations and deserve our best care.”
Joel Brown is a former child advocate with the Children’s Services Agency at the Department of Health and Human Services.
“We believe Joel Brown used his decades of experience as a CPS worker to skillfully and successfully conceal the abuse that occurred in his home and to help the Flores hide abuse in their home as well,” Nessel said, according to the outlet.
Joel Brown and Tammy Brown, Joel is a former child advocate.
He faces charges of second- and third-degree child abuse, second-degree conspiracy to commit child abuse, failure to report child abuse and interfering with the report of a crime, officials said.
Tammy Brown faces charges of first- and third-degree child abuse and second-degree conspiracy to commit child abuse.
Jerry Flore faces 11 charges including first-degree child abuse, first-degree child abuse committed in the presence of another child, conspiracy to commit second-degree child abuse, second-degree child abuse and interfering with the report of a crime.
Tamal Flore faces 17 charges including first-degree child abuse, first-degree child abuse committed in the presence of another child, conspiracy to commit second-degree child abuse, second-degree child abuse, first-degree child abuse third and criminal intervention. report.
Two Michigan couples are accused of adopting and fostering dozens of children for financial gain – and abusing some of them. Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK
The couple was previously indicted on alleged abuse in Clinton County.
Nessel said the case was initially referred to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department by Child Protective Services after it received a complaint about alleged child abuse.
But after a preliminary examination, the charges against Joel and Tammy Brown and the charges against the Brown family were dismissed and the charges against Flores were reduced.
Circuit Court Judge Michael Clarizio dismissed the Browns’ case in June 2022 after he ruled there was insufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial, according to the newspaper.
They were accused of sending their then 7-year-old adopted son to live with the Flores, knowing he had been beaten and barred with them, the outlet reported.
Both Brown and Flores have denied any abuse or knowledge of abuse.
“We cannot deny that the initial investigation required more effort and the initial CPS investigation could have had better documentation and more accurate notes,” Nessel said.
Tamal Flore mugshot. Michigan Attorney General’s Office
“The CPS summary of the initial interview was copied into the police report, making the report not entirely factually accurate, either,” the Detroit News reported.
The Attorney General’s Office took over the investigation to conduct additional interviews and review more evidence, Nessel said, adding that his office reached some of the same conclusions as the initial investigation led by Clinton County.
He said the case highlights changes the state needs to make regarding child abuse laws, including a longer statute of limitations, appropriate charges for someone who tries to tamper with a child witness in a child abuse investigation and rules on schooling in home.
Jerry Flore mugshot. Michigan Attorney General’s Office
David Carter, an attorney for Flores, slammed the news allegations against his client.
“I think it’s a witch hunt. They are biting both apples and trying to raise a case that should not be brought,” he told the newspaper.
Meanwhile, one of the couple’s adopted children defended them and said he had never been abused during his stay in their home since 2005, WILX reported.
“It’s really crazy to hear the accusations just because, I mean, if I’m being completely honest, my mom is my best friend,” Shamber Brown told the outlet.
“They are like a safe family that I feel like, we are children, we should be together. I mean, I’m married to one of their sons,” she said, adding that her husband said he had never experienced child abuse under the Browns’ care.
“My husband definitely supports my parents. He supports his parents—having nothing but love. Definitely agree with everything I said, yes, they were falsely accused,” he told the outlet.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
