The tragic story of two-year-old Zaelynn serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the consequences of neglect. Found lifeless in a closet with a space heater turned up too high, she suffered a painful and preventable death due to hyperthermia. When police arrived at the Berne, Indiana apartment in November 2024,

they discovered shocking conditions—Zaelynn’s small body lay on a soiled mattress, her diaper unchanged, and the closet’s temperature reaching a staggering 109.4 degrees. Her parents, Sintia Perez and Jace Hirschy, failed to check on her for nearly 20 hours, a fatal lapse that ended an innocent life far too soon.

Meanwhile, the couple’s other two children lived in equally horrific conditions, leading to their removal by child services.Despite the suffering she endured, Zaelynn was remembered as a joyful and spirited child, her bright blue eyes lighting up every room she entered. Her death not only devastated her loved ones but also sparked outrage in the community.

The legal system is now holding her parents accountable, with both facing multiple charges of neglect, including a Level 1 Felony for Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death. As they await trial, Zaelynn’s story stands as a somber warning about the importance of protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring no child is left to suffer in silence.