News Summary
Two individuals have been charged following the discovery of six young children locked inside a storage unit in Milwaukee. The children, ranging from 2 months to 9 years, were found in deplorable conditions, prompting police action after a report of a child crying. Authorities are investigating the children’s welfare and the circumstances leading to their neglect. Initial court appearances have occurred, with cash bonds set for the defendants. This case highlights serious concerns about child welfare and parental responsibilities in the community.
Milwaukee authorities have charged two individuals in connection with a disturbing incident involving six young children discovered locked inside a storage unit. The charges were filed against 35-year-old Charles Dupriest and 26-year-old Azyia Zielinski following the children’s rescue on Tuesday, September 16.
The Milwaukee Police Department responded to reports of a child crying from within the locked storage unit, leading to firefighters cutting the padlock to gain access. Once inside, first responders found the children, aged between 2 months and 9 years old, in poor living conditions. Officers reported aweful odors and noted a bucket collecting urine among the living space. The storage unit lacked both electricity and running water, and law enforcement described the environment as “putrid” with minimal light provided only by a crack in the garage door.
Inside the unit, the children indicated they were responsible for taking care of one another, including feeding the infant. They had no means to contact their parents for help in emergencies. The eldest child, a 9-year-old, mentioned feeling hungry and sad about their living conditions and explained that they were instructed not to make noise.
Dupriest and Zielinski admitted to sleeping in an SUV parked nearby while leaving the children inside the storage unit. Authorities later discovered the SUV contained a loaded firearm; Zielinski claimed ownership while Dupriest denied ever touching it. Zielinski stated they had been living in the storage unit for around six weeks after being evicted from a homeless shelter in July.
Despite receiving food stamps and approximately $2,000 monthly in Social Security benefits, both defendants faced scrutiny regarding their childcare decisions. A family member confirmed that the children could have been placed with other relatives or friends, all of whom were unaware of the children’s dire situation. The children also alluded to instances where their parents consumed alcohol, and the 9-year-old mentioned taking responsibility for the younger siblings when their parents were intoxicated.
Upon initial court appearances on September 19, Zielinski was issued a cash bond of $5,000, while Dupriest received a $20,000 cash bond. A preliminary hearing is set for September 25.
The Milwaukee Police Department confirmed that the six children were “unhoused,” and the Milwaukee Rescue Mission noted that the family had previously resided at their shelter before securing permanent housing, although they left prior to this incident. The unhealthy conditions of the storage unit and the lack of proper care raised significant concerns about the well-being of the children involved.
This incident has prompted considerable community concern regarding child welfare and the responsibilities of parents and guardians in providing proper care and living conditions for their children. The legal proceedings for the defendants are set to address these serious allegations in the coming days.
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Additional Resources
- NBC News
- Wikipedia: Child Abuse
- WISN
- Google Search: Milwaukee children storage unit
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Social Welfare
- People
- Google News: Milwaukee storage unit incident
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.
