The story of little Zaelynn, who died after parents left her in 109-degree closet
If you’re unable or unwilling to care for a child, it’s crucial to seek help from a family member or relative. If they too refuse, don’t hesitate to take the child to a hospital, fire department, or contact child protective services. Every child deserves the chance to grow up in an environment where they are cared for and loved.
Sadly, little Zaelynn never had that chance, and her story should never be forgotten.
A Shocking Case That Stunned Even the Most Experienced Officers
Writing about children who suffer or face harm is always deeply painful, and this particular story is especially heartbreaking. It contains graphic details that may not be suitable for all readers, so viewer discretion is advised. However, I believe it’s vital to share this story. What does it say about us as humans if we ignore children like Zaelynn and fail to ensure they get the justice they deserve?
This tragic story began in Berne, Indiana, a quiet town that was recently shaken to its core by a horrifying case. In November 2024, a call came into the police department for a death investigation at an apartment complex. What authorities discovered upon arrival was truly shocking, even for the most seasoned officers.
Sintia Perez, 21, and Jace Hirschy, 23, were found in their apartment with their two small children. When officers asked about their third child, little Zaelynn, the parents’ response was chilling.
A Family Living in Unthinkable Conditions
According to reports from WANE, the family of five was living in absolutely filthy conditions. Zaelynn, a two-year-old girl, was being forced to sleep in a closet with only a space heater running through the night to keep her warm. Tragically, this arrangement ultimately cost Zaelynn her life.
Zaelynn died from hyperthermia, or overheating, caused by the dangerously high temperature in the closet.
When officers arrived, they immediately noticed a drastic temperature difference upon stepping from the bedroom into the closet where Zaelynn had been sleeping. Inside, they found the toddler lying on a soiled mattress in a crib, with her diaper unchanged. Her small body was visibly discolored, a heartbreaking indication of the horrible conditions she had endured.
An autopsy later revealed that by the time authorities arrived, Zaelynn’s body temperature had soared to a staggering 109.4 degrees, a temperature far beyond the point of survival. According to her mother, Sintia Perez, she had put Zaelynn to bed around 7 p.m. the previous evening and turned the space heater up nearly to its maximum setting. However, she didn’t check on her daughter until around 3 p.m. the following day, many hours later. By then, it was far too late to save her.
Police reported that the temperature inside the closet reached a deadly 109 degrees near the ceiling, creating a lethal environment for the helpless child.
