Left: Jason Klimp. Right: Jessica Klimp (Fentress County Jail).

Jason Klimp, 45, and Jessica Klimp, 43, admitted guilt to charges of aggravated child abuse and neglect, as confirmed by the 8th Judicial District Attorney General. Their sentencing marks the conclusion of a troubling case that has garnered local media attention.

The case came to light in February 2024 when authorities were called to the Klimp household in Fentress County after one of the girls collapsed. In an alarming attempt to revive her, her father placed her under a cold shower. Despite being 12 years old, her frail condition led first responders to initially estimate her age as between 6 and 8.

A paramedic testified that the girl’s body temperature had plummeted to 95.6 degrees, and her skin showed signs of discoloration, according to a report by local NBC affiliate WBIR. Her condition was so critical that paramedics called for an airlift to a hospital. The Klimps claimed the girls were unable to consume solid foods, a statement contradicted by the 12-year-old who revealed to police that they were forced to drink from bottles because they were accused of overeating and becoming ill. Her sister was found in a similarly malnourished and underdeveloped state.

Her body temperature was 95.6 degrees and her skin was discolored, a paramedic testified at a previous hearing, according to local NBC affiliate WBIR. She was in such bad shape that paramedics requested she be airlifted to a hospital. The parents claimed the girl and her biological sister were unable to eat solid foods. The 12-year-old later told cops she and her sister had to eat from a bottle because they “eat too much and would get sick.” Her sister also was malnourished and underdeveloped, cops said.

Investigators also learned that the two girls were forced to sleep on plastic totes in the 60-degree basement without blankets as a form of punishment because they wet the bed, according to arrest warrants obtained by CBS affiliate WVLT. A total of eight kids were living in the home, four of whom were adopted while the other four were the Klimps’ biological children.

The suspects are no longer allowed to have contact with the two victims. They will serve the rest of their sentence in their home state of Michigan, per officials.