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Clinton County Adoptive Parents Convicted of Child Abuse
October 30, 2026
LANSING — Today, a Clinton County jury found Tamal and Jerry Flore, both of DeWitt, guilty of a combined 12 criminal child abuse felonies, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The convictions took place in the 29th Circuit Court following a six-week trial. Jerry and Tamal Flore, dating back to 2007, adopted children for financial gain and subjected the children to abuse under the guise of discipline.
“Tamal and Jerry Flore subjected their foster and adopted children to prolonged, routine and systemic mental and physical abuse all for personal financial gain,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Children who become wards of the state are some of the most vulnerable and they must be protected. Today’s conviction ensures that no other children will be subjected to the Flores’ abuse again. I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to Clinton County Sheriff Dush and the prosecutors in my office for their years of effort towards justice.”
“I am very thankful that we were able to bring justice and closure to the many child victims in this case. Holding these abusers accountable was a priority of mine, the staff at the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, and the Attorney General's Office,” said Clinton County Sheriff Sean Dush. “This has been a long and in-depth investigation and without the help of the Michigan Attorney General's Office we would not have been able to bring this case to a successful completion. I would like to publicly acknowledge and thank Assistant Attorneys General Melissa Palepu, Caitlyn Kirby, Monica Wilson and Victim Advocate Johanna Delp and everyone else from the Attorney General’s Office that helped bring this case to a successful completion.”
Tamal Flore, 59, was convicted of:
- 5 counts First-Degree Child Abuse, a potential life-sentence felony;
- 1 count of First-Degree Child Abuse Committed in the Presence of Another Child, a potential life-sentence felony;
- 2 counts of Second-Degree Child Abuse, a 10-year felony; and
- 3 counts of Third-Degree Child Abuse, a 2-year felony.
Jerry Flore, 61, was convicted on one count of Second-Degree Child Abuse, a 10-year felony.
The Flores were charged by the Department of Attorney General in December of 2023.
They were remanded to the Clinton County jail and will next appear in the 29th Circuit Court for sentencing on January 11th.
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