Milwaukee, WI – Charles A. Dupriest, 33, and Azyia C. Zielinski, 26, were arrested earlier this week after allegedly leaving their six children, including four under the age of 6, locked inside a storage unit with only a bucket to use as a restroom.
Arrests and Charges
The couple faces six counts each of child neglect, according to court records obtained by Law&Crime. Dupriest also faces one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Both are currently held at the Milwaukee County Jail with bonds set at $10,500 and $10,000, respectively.
Discovery at the Storage Unit
Police responded at 1:33 a.m. Tuesday to a report of a crying child inside a locked storage unit at Storsafe, 5500 block of North 27th Street. First responders found unit B58 secured with a padlock. Fire personnel cut the lock and discovered:
- Six children ranging from two months to nine years old
- A bucket containing urine in the middle of the unit
- Minimal light entering through the crack of the garage door
Detectives learned that the 9-year-old was responsible for caring for his younger siblings while their parents were away, stating he had no device to contact anyone in an emergency.
“The stench from inside was so putrid they could not remain even with the garage door open,” the complaint reads.
Previous Incidents
An employee at the storage facility recalled hearing a male voice in May telling the children to “Sit down and be quiet,” and surveillance footage showed the children being dropped off by their parents.
Children’s Statements
In a forensic interview, a 5-year-old girl said she felt “sad” and “mad” while locked in the unit and tried unsuccessfully to open the door. She reported using a bucket or bag to urinate and defecate, and expressed frustration that the family’s dog was allowed to sleep in the car while she and her siblings were confined to the storage unit.
The 9-year-old described being disciplined by his father with “whoopings” and recalled fearing he might need hospital care after one incident.
Parents’ Response
When located by officers at 2:11 a.m., Dupriest and Zielinski were sleeping in a Ford Expedition parked at the facility, while all six children remained in the storage unit. The couple claimed the family was homeless, but admitted the children could have stayed with other relatives.
Court and Investigation
The incident remains under investigation, according to the reports. It was not immediately clear when the parents would appear in court.
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