Two Michigan couples are arrested for conspiring to adopt dozens of children from foster care before subjecting them to ‘routine mental and physical abuse’: Received more than $1 million in tax-free money from the state

Two Michigan couples have been charged with trying to adopt nearly 30 children they used to obtain government funding while covering up mental and physical abuse against them.

Joel Brown, 54, and Tammy Brown, 53, and Jerry Flor, 58, and Tamal Flor, 56, were indicted Tuesday on 36 counts of child abuse.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed the charges after uncovering evidence that they abused eight adopted children in their care dating back to 2007.

The Flores family faces the most charges, with Tamal facing 17 charges and Jerry 11, including first-degree child abuse charges that could carry a life sentence.

All four foster parents face charges ranging from conspiracy to commit child abuse and failure to report child abuse.

Two Michigan couples have been charged with trying to adopt nearly 30 children they used to obtain government funding while covering up mental and physical abuse against them. In the photo: Jerry and Tamal Flor

Joel Brown, 54, and Tammy Brown (pictured), 53, and Jerry Flor, 58, and Tamal Flor, 56, were indicted Tuesday on 36 counts of child abuse.

Nessel also accuses them of skimming more than $1 million from the state of Michigan without paying taxes by manipulating the foster care and adoption system.

The couple, who live in DeWitt, Michigan, conspired to adopt the children through Joel Brown, who once worked for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services child services agency.

The indictment accuses him of using “his expertise in child abuse investigations and child welfare laws to circumvent the discovery of ongoing child abuse in his own home and the Flores’ home.”

Both couples regularly abused their children and disguised it as simple punishment.

“The Brown and Flor families preyed on dozens of children who were removed from previously abusive biological homes and subjected the children to prolonged, routine and systematic mental and physical abuse under the guise of disciplinary action,” Nessel said in a statement.

“These two families have adopted or fostered at least 30 children, allowing them to benefit enormously financially.”

Shockingly, both couples had previously faced allegations of child abuse, but were either fired or made redundant.

“These egregious allegations highlight not only the moral and legal failure of those entrusted with the care of children, but also the failure of our system to provide adequate care for children placed in our custody,” Nessel said.

The Flores family faces the most charges, with Tamal facing 17 charges and Jerry 11, including first-degree child abuse charges that could carry a life sentence.

The couple, who both live in DeWitt, Michigan, conspired to adopt the children through Joel Brown, who once worked for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services child services agency.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed charges after uncovering evidence that they abused eight adopted children in their care back in 2007.

At least one of the adopted children, Shamber Brown, defends Flores’ family and says she was not abused.

“It was crazy to hear the accusations just because, to be completely honest, my mom is my best friend,” said Brown, who has lived with the Flores since 2005. News 10.

Brown said she even married one of Joel and Tammy Brown’s sons, and he is also adamant that there was no abuse.

“They were the only safe family for me, us children that we should be with. I mean, I married one of their sons.

“My husband definitely supports my parents. He supports his parents – he has nothing but love. Definitely agree with everything I say: yes, they are being falsely accused.”

At least one of the adopted children, Shamber Brown, defends Flores’ family and says she was not abused.

Clinton County Sheriff Sean Dash speaks at a press conference with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel

She claims that the only way her parents can punish her is by making her sit in the square during time out.

Brown believes her siblings may be dealing with trauma from before their adoption.

“I would say that a good half of my brothers and sisters have not received as much healing simply because they have experienced really traumatic things – either they have distorted memories or they like to cause chaos.”

The Browns and Flores have until Friday to surrender.