A horrifying case of child neglect has emerged in Milwaukee, where police discovered six children locked inside a storage unit in deplorable conditions. The children, aged as young as two months and ranging up to nine years old, were found in a pitch-black room, without basic amenities like light, electricity, or running water. The scene was described as putrid, and officers could not even bear to stay inside with the door open due to the overwhelming stench.
The Discovery
On September 16, 2025, police responded to a distress call about a child crying inside a locked storage unit. Upon arriving at the scene, officers heard not only crying but also another child coughing inside. After getting the Fire Department to cut through the lock, officers were met with a grim scene.
The children were found huddled in the dark, with one of them, a five-year-old, heartbreakingly telling officers, “We’re not supposed to be loud.” A nine-year-old revealed that he was left in charge of taking care of the younger ones, even stating that it was his job to feed or comfort the baby if she cried. The child also revealed that the parents were often absent, leaving them alone for long periods—about 50% of the time.
Shocking Conditions
The storage unit had no bathroom facilities, only a bucket used as a toilet. There was a couch and a mattress with no sheets, which three of the children shared for sleeping. The only food in the unit was a box of chips, milk, and a case of soda. There was no access to clean water, and the children were left to fend for themselves in filthy, unsanitary conditions.
The children described their parents’ behavior, stating that the adults would often drink alcohol—tequila and vodka—and would become so intoxicated they would “slump over.” One of the children even revealed that Charles Dupriest, the father, beat him with such force that his lips began to bleed.
The children were found in horrifying conditions (Milwaukee Sheriff’s Office)
The Parents’ Arrest
After the children were rescued, police found the parents, Charles Dupriest (33) and Azyia Zielinski (26), asleep in an SUV in the storage facility’s parking lot. They confessed that they had been living in their vehicle with their dog, leaving the children locked up in the unit. The couple later claimed they were homeless and had been staying in the storage unit for about a month and a half, despite receiving $2,000 a month in Social Security benefits and food stamps.
Both parents have been charged with two counts of child neglect and four counts of neglecting a child under six years old. They are currently being held on $5,000 cash bail. In an unsettling revelation, Zielinski claimed they could have stayed with family members, but chose to live in the storage unit instead, further deepening the tragedy of the situation.
There was no bathroom, only a bucket (Milwaukee Sheriff’s Office)
Community Impact
The discovery of this horrific neglect has shaken the local community, with authorities pointing to the gross disregard for the children’s welfare. A storage unit employee reported hearing an adult male instruct the children to “sit down and be quiet” earlier in the year, which led to further investigation and the eventual rescue of the children.
This case highlights the severity of child abuse and neglect and has left many questioning how the children were able to survive in such inhumane conditions for so long. The parents’ lack of accountability and the conditions under which the children lived continue to shock and disturb the public.
For those concerned about the well-being of children, authorities urge people to report any signs of neglect or abuse they may witness.
