A Wisconsin mother, Azyia C. Zielinski, will avoid prison after pleading guilty to child neglect charges for locking her six children in a storage unit overnight, forcing them to use a bucket as a restroom.
Despite the horrific conditions, the court decided on a probationary sentence after considering her background and cooperation with authorities.
The Chilling Details of the Crime
In the early hours of September 16, 2025, the Milwaukee Police Department responded to a report of a crying child trapped inside a locked storage unit at Storsafe on North 27th Street.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered six children, ranging in age from two months to nine years old, locked inside the dark, fetid unit. The only light in the room came from the crack in the garage door, and a single bucket was used as a toilet.
A Disturbing Family Situation
The children were left to care for themselves in the absence of their parents, with the oldest child, a nine-year-old, taking on the responsibility of looking after the younger siblings.
The conditions were so horrifying that the police described the stench inside the unit as “putrid.” Authorities learned that the children were regularly dropped off at the storage unit by their parents and left alone for extended periods.
Probation Instead of Prison for Azyia Zielinski
In Thursday’s sentencing hearing, Zielinski was sentenced to 18 months of probation instead of a prison term after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of child neglect.
Prosecutors recommended a stay of prison time to focus on her rehabilitation, considering her difficult relationship with her husband and her cooperation with authorities. Zielinski’s defense argued that she was remorseful and already began working on her rehabilitation.
The Role of Charles Dupriest
Zielinski’s husband, Charles Dupriest, was convicted of child neglect in January 2026, and he will be sentenced on April 9, 2026. According to investigators, Dupriest was responsible for disciplining the children with physical punishment and had previously threatened them with a firearm.
The children’s statements highlighted the constant fear and neglect they endured.
The Impact on the Children
The emotional and physical toll on the children is evident from their statements to investigators. One child expressed feeling “sad” and “mad” while locked in the storage unit, and another described being disciplined with physical punishment.
The children’s emotional well-being, as well as their physical safety, were put at risk in this traumatic environment.
The Call for Justice and Child Protection
This case raises serious questions about the safety of children in difficult domestic situations. While Zielinski’s probation emphasizes rehabilitation, it is crucial to recognize the long-term emotional scars inflicted on the children.
Moving forward, it’s important for the legal system to address such situations with the seriousness they deserve to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.
