FENTRESS COUNTY, Tenn. — On Thursday, a Michigan couple charged with child abuse in Fentress County faced a judge for the first time. They’re accused of starving and abusing two adopted sisters.
Jason Klimp, 45, and Jessica Klimp, 43, are now each charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse. Two of their girls, ages 11 and 12 years old, were found severely malnourished in February.
Thursday, the couple showed up in their orange jumpsuits and the judge asked them whether they had representation. Community members who knew them said the couple would often visit Fentress County and would vacation for about a week before they left again.
Some said they were regular church-goers and their whole family would often attend local services. The couple had a total of eight children — four biological and four adopted.
According to the Fentress County Sheriff’s Office, the two juveniles were forced to sleep in plastic totes in a basement with no covers as a punishment for wetting their beds. One child appeared to be 6 years old due to her malnourishment, but she was actually 12 years old.
According to records, the girls' father told authorities the parents pureed the children’s food because they otherwise wouldn’t eat.
The couple remains in custody and the judge appointed them attorneys while he set a preliminary hearing for April 4. The state said they will be calling a doctor from East Tennessee Children’s Hospital to the stand.
The state filed a motion for the judge to increase their bail from $100,000 to $750,000. The reasons for this motion include that the couple didn't live in Fentress County, “their reputation and character are that of dishonesty and moral turpitude,” and the nature of the offense is “apprehensible and appalling.”