Michigan couple convicted of abusing 16 foster and adopted children

A Lansing, Michigan jury convicted Tamal and Jerry Flore on Monday, finding the couple guilty of abusing 16 children they took in as foster or adopted kids since 2007. The verdict follows a trial brought by the Michigan Attorney General’s office, which argued the pair mistreated minors to keep state payments flowing.

Tamal Flore, 59, was found guilty on 11 counts of child abuse, including six first-degree charges. Her husband, 61, was convicted of one second-degree charge but acquitted on nine others. The single count against Jerry Flore carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. Jurors delivered the verdict in a case that spanned nearly two decades of state oversight.

Prosecutors alleged the children were subjected to physical violence and confinement. The report cited by The Detroit News stated the couple whipped kids with belts and struck them with metal and wooden spoons. The children also described being locked in rooms or the garage for days at a time.

Beyond physical strikes, the family imposed strict rules for daily life. The children were forced to sleep in a specific kitchen spot labeled “the square” for weeks. They performed heavy physical exercises as punishment and had food withheld if they failed to finish assigned housework. The legal team said these actions were performed under the pretense of discipline to justify the state’s financial support.

The Flores took in 16 children over the years, though the abuse allegations specifically involved seven of them. The case drew attention due to the high number of minors in the household and the duration of the arrangement. The jury’s decision ends the trial phase, leaving the punishment for the crimes to the judge.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 11, 2027. The Flore family will return to court in Lansing to receive their final sentences. The outcome will determine how long the couple spends behind bars for the abuse of the 16 children in their care.