Michigan lawmaker proposes making homeschooling parents register kids with the state

Comments come following arrest of adoptive parents

LANSING, Mich -  Michigan State Democratic Rep. Matt Koleszar is calling for homeschooled children to be registered with the State of Michigan. The following is his post on Twitter (X).

Michigan is one of only 11 states that doesn’t count or register homeschooled children, and abusive parents are taking advantage of that to avoid being found out. It’s time to support all Michigan students and change that. Michigan cannot allow this loophole to continue, said Koleszar.

This comes after Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged four adoptive parents with 36 child abuse crimes. 

Rep. Koleszar is drawing the inference that when students are homeschooled, they are more likely to be abused. However, there has been no research or facts to substantiate that hypothesis.

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Four individuals, Joel and Tammy Brown, and Jerry and Tamal Flore of Dewitt, are facing serious charges related to the alleged adoption of children for financial gain and subjecting them to abuse under the guise of discipline. The charges stem from evidence of abuse against eight children adopted through their homes since 2007, with nearly 30 children being adopted or fostered through the Brown and Flore homes. Joel Brown, a former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services employee, is accused of using his expertise to circumvent the detection of ongoing child abuse in his own home and the Flores' home.

Republican Rep. State Rep. Jaime Greene from Richmond, Michigan released the following statement: 

“Rather than burdening homeschool families with additional administrative hurdles and invasive reporting requirements, efforts should be directed toward supporting and improving the public education system and child protective services. This homeschool registration proposal not only disregards parental rights but also misguidedly focuses on regulating a successful and legitimate educational choice, diverting attention and resources away from addressing systemic problems within government agencies.”

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel emphasized the vulnerability of children in foster care and adoption systems, stating that the accused families preyed upon children already removed from abusive biological homes. The allegations include prolonged routine and systemic mental and physical abuse, all towards significant financial gain. Joel Brown, 54, and Tammy Brown, 53, face charges ranging from potential life-sentence felonies to misdemeanors. Jerry Flore, 58, and Tamal Flore, 56, face multiple charges, including potential life-sentence felonies for child abuse.

The accused were previously charged, but the Department of Attorney General took over the case following a preliminary exam, resulting in the dropping of outstanding charges against the defendants. The new investigation involved interviews with adopted children, Child Protective Services, and DHHS employees, as well as examination of photos, videos, adoption subsidy payment records, and medical benefit records. Arrest warrants have been issued for all four defendants, with a deadline for voluntary surrender by December 8th.