LANSING – Today, Jerry and Tamal Flore, both of Dewitt, were bound over to stand trial in the 29th Circuit Court in Clinton County on a combined 26 criminal child abuse felonies, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The Flores are accused of adopting children for financial gain and subjecting the children to abuse under the guise of discipline, dating back to 2007. 

“Every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves a safe and nurturing home," Nessel said. "Child abuse is a devastating act of violence that shatters innocence and leaves deep, lasting scars. My office is dedicated to protecting children, ensuring they receive the support they deserve, and prosecuting those responsible for these heinous crimes.” 

Jerry Flore, 58, faces 11 charges: 

• Counts 1-6: Child Abuse 1st Degree, a potential life-sentence felony; 

• Count 7: Child Abuse 1st Degree Committed in the Presence of Another Child, a potential life-sentence felony; 

• Count 8: Conspiracy to Commit Child Abuse 2nd Degree, a 10-year felony; 

• Count 9: Child Abuse 2nd Degree, a 10-year felony; 

• Count 10: Child Abuse 2nd Degree, a 10-year felony; and 

• Count 11: Interfering with a Crime Report, a 1-year misdemeanor. 

Tamal Flore, 56, faces 17 charges: 

• Counts 1-6: Child Abuse 1st Degree, a potential life-sentence felony; 

• Count 7: Child Abuse 1st Degree Committed in the Presence of Another Child, a potential life-sentence felony; 

• Count 8: Conspiracy to Commit Child Abuse 2nd Degree, a 10-year felony; 

• Count 9-10: Child Abuse 2nd Degree, a 10-year felony; 

• Counts 11-16: Child Abuse 3rd Degree, a 2-year felony; and 

• Count 17: Interfering with a Crime Report, a 1-year misdemeanor. 

The Flore defendants were charged by the Department of Attorney General in December of 2023 alongside defendants Joel and Tammy Brown. Visiting Judge James Borchard did not bind over the Browns on the child abuse offenses with which they were charged. Joel Brown is a former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services employee, where he worked within the Children’s Services Administration Office of Family Advocate and still faces one count of Interfering with a Crime Report, a 1-year misdemeanor, and one count of Failure to Report Child Abuse, a 93-day misdemeanor.  

The Department of Attorney General’s investigation into both families produced extensive evidence, presented at this week’s preliminary examination, of abuse. The evidence supporting the department’s charges includes: 

• Investigative documents obtained by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; 

• Interviews with 10 of the adopted children (adults and minors), Child Protective Services and DHHS employees; 

• Photos and videos from the Flore home; 

• Adoption subsidy payment and medical benefit records; and 

• Medical evaluations on all potential victims. 

The Flores will next appear in the 29th Circuit Court before Judge Shannon Schlegel on October 14, 2024, at 9 a.m.