Seeking assistance from a family member or relative is essential if you are incapable or unwilling to care for a child. Don’t be afraid to take the youngster to the fire department, hospital, or child protective services if they also refuse. Every youngster should have the opportunity to live with a caring adult.
Sadly, tiny Zaelynn was never given the opportunity, and her tale will always be remembered.
Even the most experienced officers were shocked.
This narrative contains explicit material that may not be appropriate for all viewers, and I always feel sad when I write about children who suffer or are hurt. It is recommended that viewers exercise caution. But I think it’s vital to share because, if we ignore these kids and don’t give them the justice they deserve, what does it say about us as people?
Only a few months ago, a horrific incident occurred in Berne, Indiana; the case has rocked the town to its foundation. On a chilly November day in 2024, police were called to investigate a death at a peaceful apartment building.
Even the most experienced police would be shocked by what they discovered.
When authorities arrived, they discovered a young couple, Sintia Perez, 21, and Jace Hirschy, 23, together with their two young children. However, when they inquired about their third kid, little Zaelynn, the parents’ response was shocking.
The family of five reportedly lived in unclean conditions, with young Zaelynn being forced to sleep in a closet with a space heater running all night as her only source of warmth, according to WNE. This sleeping arrangement tragically turned out to be lethal.
Overheating, or hyperthermia, claimed Zaelynn’s life.
slept in a closet.
According to court records, an officer observed a sharp increase in temperature as soon as he entered the closet from the bedroom.
Officers found the two-year-old in her crib, still in her diaper, resting on a dirty mattress. She suffered from terrible conditions, as seen by the discoloration of her petite body.
By the time police arrived, the toddler’s body temperature had risen to an alarming 109.4 degrees, according to an autopsy. Investigators were told by the mother, Sintia Perez, that she had put Zaelynn to bed at around 7 p.m. the previous evening and had placed the heater almost to its highest setting.
She didn’t get up until 12:30 p.m. the following day, but it wasn’t until several hours later, at approximately 3 p.m., that she and Hirschy went to check on their daughter. It was too late by then.
According to police, the closet’s interior temperature had risen to a sweltering 109 degrees close to the ceiling, making the environment fatal for the defenseless infant.
Brimming with life and love
Zaelynn was characterized as a joyful, carefree child in her obituary.
“Zaelynn was vivacious and full of love.” It said, “She always seemed to be having a good time and being happy.” Every moment Zaelynn smiled, her long, long lashes and large, stunning crystal blue eyes lit up the room. Her lively young girl will be sorely missed by her entire family.
“We are so very sorry for the loss of your precious Zaelynn,” a friend said in their condolences to the family.
The WPTA claims that the setting in which the older kids resided was “extremely unhealthy.” A pot on the stove was found to be covered with flies and full of mold, and the house was infested with cockroaches.
The couple’s other two children, ages three and five, were taken into the custody of the Department of Child Services after it was discovered that they both had lice.
Following their instant arrest, Perez and Hirschy were charged with three counts: Neglect of a Dependent (a Level 6 Felony), Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death (a Level 1 Felony), and Neglect of a Dependent. With a jury trial set for March 7, 2025, they are presently being imprisoned at Adams County Jail.
