A couple charged with child abuse was arraigned this morning in Fentress County Court.

Jason Klimp, age 43, and his wife 43-year-old Jessica Klimp, both entered a plea of not guilty today.

Court officials say a preliminary hearing was set this morning for Thursday, April 4, 2024, starting at 9 a.m.

Court documents indicate officers responded to a home for an unresponsive child. The address of the home was blacked out on the document. Officers encountered the parents of the child, Jessica and Jason Klimp of Cadillac, Michigan.

Jason Klimp told law enforcement the female was walking back from outside when she collapsed. He placed the child in the shower attempting to warm the child up because he stated she felt like she was freezing.

Medics said the child appeared to be around 6 years old but were shocked to learn the girl was actually 12 years old.

The girl was taken to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital for treatment.

Doctors later informed investigators the girl was severely undernourished and under development for her age.

When officers asked Jason Klimp why the child was not eating properly, he reportedly stated she was given pureed food because she could not keep regular food down or she didn’t want to eat.

A DCS referral was made to the other seven children in the home. Officers say four are biological children of the couple, and four are adopted. Law enforcement told the couple to bring the rest of the children to the emergency room for evaluation.

Court documents state the sister of the victim was in the same malnourished state.

A Department of Children’s Service investigator spoke with each of the children. What two of the children told them was horrific.

They said they were made to sleep in plastic totes with no covers in the basement where the temperature averaged 60 degrees. The two children said they slept there as punishment for wetting a bed.

As of this morning (Thursday, February 29, 2024), Jessica and Jason Klimp continue to be held in the Fentress County jail under $100,000 bond each. Both are charged with felony aggravated child abuse or neglect.