The Heartbreaking Account of Zaelynn, Whose Life Was Cut Short as a Result of Neglect
Love and care are things that every child is entitled to receive. In the event that you are unable or unwilling to provide care for a child, it is imperative that you seek assistance from a member of your family or make contact with authorities such as child protective services. Tragically, tiny Zaelynn was never given the chance to experience it, and it is imperative that her heartbreaking story be told in order to guarantee that she will never be forgotten.
An Uncomfortable Realisation
On a chilly day in November of 2024, the Berne, Indiana, police department received a report about a death investigation that was taking place at an apartment complex. What they discovered was shocking, especially to the cops with the most years of expertise. Sintia Perez, age 21, and Jace Hirschy, age 23, were a young couple that lived together with their family of two small children. The unsettling statement that they gave in response to the question regarding their third kid, Zaelynn, showed a most awful fact.
Zaelynn, the youngest member of the family, was compelled to sleep in a closet, where the only source of warmth comes from a space heater. The family lived in filthy conditions. Alas, this arrangement ended up being fatal. Hyperthermia, often known as overheating, was the cause of Zaelynn’s death.
This is a Horrific Situation.”
After the officers arrived, they immediately observed a considerable increase in temperature when they moved from the bedroom into the closet where Zaelynn slept. When they entered, they discovered the two-year-old child lying on a soiled mattress. Her nappy was still in place, and her small body displayed traces of the dreadful conditions that she had been subjected to. Her body temperature had reached a remarkable 109.4 degrees by the time the authorities arrived, according to the findings of the autopsy.
It was at seven o’clock the night before that she reportedly put Zaelynn to bed and brought the thermostat up to practically its maximum setting, as stated by Perez. The next day, Perez did not wake up until 12:30 p.m., and neither she nor Hirschy checked on their daughter until 3 p.m. the next day. At that point, it was all too late.
The temperature inside the wardrobe had reached a potentially lethal 109 degrees near the roof, making it an atmosphere that the youngster could not stand to remain in.
A Love-Filled Life to Live
Zaelynn was recalled as a child who was bright and enjoyed having fun. According to her obituary, she was always full of life and excitement, with large, lovely blue eyes and long eyelashes that lit every room. Her eyes were noted as being enormous and beautiful. According to what was written on the website, “Zaelynn had a spunky little spirit, and she will be deeply missed by her entire family.”
An Unsuitable Household
The conditions that existed within the house were inhumane. As a result of the presence of cockroaches in the home, the environment in which the older children were living was described as “extremely unhealthy.” A pot on the stove was found filled with mold and coated in flies.
The two additional children of the couple, who were both found to have lice, were taken into custody by the Department of Child Services. The children were ages 5 and 3, respectively.
Consequences in the Courts
Both Perez and Hirschy were taken into custody and charged with many counts of neglect, including the Level 1 Felony of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, as well as other counts of abuse. Their trial before a jury is slated to take place on March 7, 2025, and they are currently being imprisoned at the Adams County Jail.