A pair has been taken into custody following the discovery of six children, including a two-month-old baby, residing in a storage unit under appalling conditions. Responding to a report of a child’s cries, law enforcement arrived at the storage facility early on Tuesday morning. The children, aged between two months and nine years old, were found inside the unit. Fortunately, they did not appear to have suffered any physical harm. Azyia Zielinski, 26, and Charles Dupriest, 33, have been charged in connection with the incident.
Detectives described the windowless unit as chaotic, containing only a couch, a bare mattress, soda, milk, and chips. The unit lacked basic amenities like running water, electricity, and lighting, with an orange bucket of urine in the center. The foul smell inside was so intense that investigators could not remain there. Zielinski faced emotional charges of child neglect, while Dupriest was charged with child neglect and possession of a firearm by a felon.
A neighbor observed the family with children frequenting the storage unit over the summer, with no visible signs of the kids during daily visits. Another individual storing vehicles at the facility expressed shock over the situation, emphasizing the absence of children in the area. The ongoing investigation aims to unravel the circumstances leading to the children’s confinement in the storage unit.
Police confirmed that the children were without proper housing, prompting concerns from a family member over negative comments circulating online. Stressing the importance of the children’s well-being, the family member urged for understanding and support. The case is under review by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, while inquiries to the facility management for comments have been unfruitful.