News Summary
In a shocking incident, Milwaukee police have charged two parents with child neglect after six children were found locked in a storage unit. The children, aged between 2 months and 9 years, were discovered in distressing conditions during a welfare check. Authorities reported the unit had a foul odor and minimal light, with children lacking basic necessities. The parents face multiple charges, including firearm possession. The Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services is now providing support to the affected children.
Milwaukee police have charged two parents with child neglect after six children were discovered locked in a storage unit. The children, ages ranging from 2 months to 9 years old, were found in distressing conditions on the morning of September 16.
The police intervention occurred during a welfare check at approximately 1:36 a.m. Authorities responded after witnesses expressed concerns about the wellbeing of the children. Upon investigation, the officers found the young children inside a storage unit described as having a “putrid” smell, with the only source of light coming from a small crack at the bottom of the door. The children were unharmed, but they were living without access to basic necessities, including electricity and running water.
According to police reports, the children had been using a bucket as a toilet. The parents, Azyia C. Zielinski, 26, and Charles A. Dupriest, 33, were taken into custody and charged with multiple counts of child neglect. Dupriest also faces additional charges related to possession of a firearm.
Prior to the shocking discovery, it was indicated that the family had been homeless for approximately six weeks. Witnesses had seen them near the storage unit several times over the weeks leading up to the incident. Neighbors mentioned witnessing the children riding bikes around the vicinity about a week before authorities intervened. The parents reportedly claimed that they had reached out to family or friends for support, but those individuals declined to provide shelter for the children.
The Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services has stepped in and is currently offering services to the affected children. Following the initial court appearance, a court commissioner remarked on the disturbing nature of the children’s situation, highlighting that the children reported having no access to food except what they could find in garbage. Court records indicate that Zielinski showed visible emotion during her initial court proceedings, whereas Dupriest remains in custody with a higher bail amount set against him.
As investigations continue, authorities are working closely with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office to review the charges against the parents. The situation remains active, and officials are determined to ensure the wellbeing of the children, who have already faced unimaginable hardships at such a young age.
The involvement of social services aims to provide safe and nurturing care for the children, who were fortunate to be found uninjured despite the conditions highlighted by the police. The community is left to grapple with the implications of this case, as local authorities scrutinize the practices surrounding child welfare and the responsibility of parents in such dire circumstances.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Fox6Now: Milwaukee Child Abuse Probe
- Wikipedia: Child abuse
- Jsonline: Six Children Found in Milwaukee Storage Unit
- Google Search: Milwaukee storage unit children
- USA Today: Milwaukee Storage Unit Children
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Neglect
- People: Wisconsin Couple Charged
- Google News: Milwaukee children storage unit
- NewsNation: Six Children Milwaukee Storage Unit
- Jsonline: Milwaukee Police Find Children
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
