Two-year-old crime remains unresolved: 625-pound man blames his weight for missed court dates

KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN (WITI) -- A man's weight is being blamed for keeping a two-year-old crime unresolved.

FOX6's sister station, FOX17 in West Michigan reports Jeffrey Klein weighs 625 pounds.

He has missed a number of court appearances -- and he contacted FOX17 this week from a hospital -- saying he has suffered a mild stroke.

Klein says his legal battles began two years ago, with what he calls "a stupid decision."

“I was upset,” Klein told FOX17. “I admitted to police that I did a bomb threat over the phone at the Cedar Springs Mobile Home Estates.”

FOX17 reports Klein says he made the threat in response to fines that were issued to him for littering and other offenses.

FOX17 says Klein has battled weight and health issues all his life. At 625 pounds, he cannot function without pain killers and oxygen tanks.

"It's no excuse for my behavior," Klein told FOX17. "I'm dying in my won body."

The Kent County, Michigan court system is growing impatient -- since Klein has repeatedly missed court dates in the bomb threat case.

Klein says he has documentation that he's wheelchair bound or bed bound, but prosecutors say he can get around with assistance -- and he should be able to make it to court.

In November, a warrant was issued for his failure to appear. Klein says he's worried Social Security will stop his SSI disability from coming in.

FOX17 reports Klein told them he's not running from his problems.

"He's a great dad. He's been home. He hasn't been getting into any trouble," Klein's daughter, Ashley Hunt said.

Klein says he's worried whether jail or prison would be equipped to handle him.

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