If you’re unable or unwilling to care for a child, please—ask for help. Whether it’s a family member, a friend, or a stranger at a hospital or fire station, someone will step in. There are systems in place for desperate moments. No child deserves to suffer in silence. Every child deserves love, protection, and a chance to grow up.
Little Zaelynn never got that chance. And we must never forget her.
A case that shook even hardened officers
Stories involving the abuse or loss of a child are among the hardest to write. They linger in your heart, haunt your thoughts, and force you to ask how such cruelty can exist. This one is no different—and I must warn you, it contains disturbing details. But silence is not an option. To turn away is to allow more children like Zaelynn to be forgotten.
In the quiet town of Berne, Indiana, a horrific tragedy unfolded in November 2024 that left a community stunned—and first responders shaken.
Police were called to an unassuming apartment complex for what was initially labeled a “death investigation.” But what officers found inside would leave even the most experienced among them emotionally wrecked.
A Closet Became Her Coffin: The Tragic Death of Little Zaelynn
When police arrived at the small apartment in Berne, Indiana, they were met by a young couple—21-year-old Sintia Perez and 23-year-old Jace Hirschy—along with two of their children. But when officers asked where their third child was, what the parents said next would chill them to the core.
Zaelynn, just two years old, was dead. And the reason why left even veteran officers shaken.
Trapped in Heat, Forgotten in Silence
The family had been living in squalid conditions. Zaelynn, unlike her siblings, had been sleeping in a closet—her only source of warmth a space heater that ran through the night. That small, enclosed space turned deadly.
According to court records, the temperature difference was immediate and shocking. As one officer stepped from the bedroom into the closet, the air became stifling. Inside, they found little Zaelynn, lying motionless on a soiled mattress. Her diaper hadn’t been changed, her small body showed signs of distress, and her skin was discolored.
An autopsy confirmed what no one wanted to believe: Zaelynn died of hyperthermia. Her body temperature had climbed to a fatal 109.4 degrees.
She Was Left Alone — And Never Checked On
Perez later told investigators she had put her daughter to bed around 7 p.m. the previous night, cranking the heater close to its highest setting. She claimed she didn’t wake until 12:30 p.m. the next day—and even then, neither she nor Hirschy checked on Zaelynn until around 3 p.m.
By then, the damage had been done. The temperature inside the closet had soared to 109 degrees near the ceiling, effectively turning it into an oven. Trapped, overheated, and alone, Zaelynn didn’t stand a chance.
A Light Gone Too Soon
Despite the horror of her final moments, Zaelynn’s short life was filled with joy, laughter, and light—something her obituary made clear.
“Zaelynn was full of love and life,” it read. “She always seemed to have her tongue out, having fun and being happy. Zaelynn had big, beautiful crystal-blue eyes and long, long eyelashes that brightened the room every time she smiled.”
A family friend shared their grief online: “We are so very sorry for the loss of your precious Zaelynn.”
Justice Must Follow — and So Must Change
No child should ever suffer like this. No child should be treated as an afterthought. If you ever feel overwhelmed as a parent, know that there are safe places to turn—hospitals, fire departments, child protective services. There are people who will help. There is always another way.
We cannot bring Zaelynn back. But we can make sure her story is told, her memory honored, and her tragic death never repeated.
A Home Unfit for Any Child
According to WPTA, the conditions inside the apartment were described as “extremely unhealthy.” The floors were crawling with cockroaches. A pot left on the stove was filled with mold, swarmed by flies. It was not a place fit for children—or anyone.
Zaelynn’s two older siblings, ages 3 and 5, were also found living in these deplorable conditions. Both were infested with lice.
Thankfully, the Department of Child Services acted quickly, removing the surviving children from the home and placing them into protective custody.
Facing Justice
Sintia Perez and Jace Hirschy were arrested on the spot. Both face multiple charges, including:
- Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death (Level 1 Felony)
- Two counts of Neglect of a Dependent (including one Level 6 Felony)
The couple remains behind bars at the Adams County Jail. Their jury trial is scheduled for March 7, 2025.
Don’t Stay Silent—Speak for the Voiceless
No child should have to suffer in silence.
If you ever suspect a child is being abused or neglected, don’t wait. Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. Your call is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in over 170 languages.
You could be the voice that saves a life.