Jason and Jessica Klimp, a couple from Fentress County, Tennessee, have pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse and neglect after investigators found that two of their adopted children had been severely mistreated and starved. The case, which shocked the local community, began in February 2024 when one of the couple’s adopted daughters was taken to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital for treatment.
Initially believed to be six years old, doctors discovered that the child was actually 12 but weighed far less than expected for her age. Her condition immediately raised red flags and triggered a criminal investigation. According to court documents and warrants obtained by WVLT News, investigators found that the girl and her biological sister were subjected to disturbing punishments.
Both were reportedly forced to sleep in plastic totes in a basement kept at around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with no blankets provided. The harsh punishment was allegedly enforced when the children wet the bed. Authorities said Jason Klimp told investigators that he had been pureeing the girls’ food because they could not eat solid meals — a claim that contradicted the evidence of extreme malnutrition doctors observed, according to WVLT.
The girls were two of the couple’s four adopted children. The Klimps also have four biological children who lived in the same home but were reportedly not subjected to the same treatment. On Monday, the couple appeared in court and formally entered guilty pleas to the charges. Both Jason and Jessica were sentenced to 10 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
As part of their sentence, they are prohibited from having any contact with the two victims. Court records indicate that the Klimps have already served about a year and a half in Fentress County Jail while awaiting trial. They will serve the remainder of their sentence in Michigan, where they are originally from, according to local WBIR.
Law enforcement officials described the case as one of the most severe instances of child neglect they have encountered. The children’s living conditions, combined with their physical state, pointed to long-term abuse and deliberate deprivation.
Investigators credited hospital staff for quickly recognizing the signs of neglect and alerting authorities before the situation could worsen. The two victims have since been placed in protective care and are reportedly recovering. The guilty pleas bring a measure of closure to a case that highlighted ongoing concerns about oversight in the adoption system and the need for stronger monitoring of children’s welfare in private homes.