Police find toddler dead in closet, discover heartbreaking scene beside her
2-year-old Zaelynn died after being left in extreme heat—her tragic story sheds light on the importance of child protection
Police in Berne, Indiana made a devastating discovery when responding to a call in November 2024—a 2-year-old girl was found dead inside a closet, her tiny body surrounded by heartbreaking evidence of neglect.
The quiet community of Berne, Indiana is still in shock after what local police say was one of the most disturbing scenes they’ve ever encountered. On a cold day in November, officers were called to an apartment complex for a death investigation involving a child.
What they found behind that door will haunt them forever.
A tragedy that shook a small town
Inside the small apartment lived 21-year-old Sintia Perez and her boyfriend, 23-year-old Jace Hirschy, along with their three children. But when police asked about their youngest, Zaelynn, what the couple told them left investigators stunned—and heartbroken.
The toddler had been sleeping in a closet.
According to court documents, little Zaelynn had been placed in a closet to sleep, with only a space heater for warmth. Her crib was inside the closet, and when police stepped in, they noticed how dramatically the temperature increased compared to the rest of the home.
Zaelynn was found unresponsive on a stained mattress. Her diaper had not been changed. Her skin showed signs of extreme heat exposure.
An autopsy revealed she died from hyperthermia, a condition caused by overheating. By the time authorities arrived, her body temperature had soared to a shocking 109.4 degrees. The closet, investigators said, had reached dangerously hot temperatures, especially near the ceiling.
Perez admitted she had turned the heater up high and didn’t check on her daughter until nearly 3 p.m. the next day—too late to save her.
A little girl full of life
Though her life was tragically cut short, those who knew Zaelynn remember her joyful spirit. Her obituary described her as “full of love and life,” always with her tongue out and a sparkle in her bright blue eyes.
“Zaelynn had big, beautiful crystal blue eyes and long, long eyelashes, and they brightened up the room every time she smiled,” it read. “Her entire family will miss this spunky little girl greatly.”
Friends and family left messages of sorrow and support, mourning a life that should have been protected.
Unsafe home conditions
Police didn’t just find tragedy in the closet—they found a home in chaos.
The family’s apartment was filled with filth. Court records mention cockroach infestations, moldy food covered in flies, and unsanitary conditions that posed health risks for all the children. The couple’s two other children, aged 5 and 3, were found with lice and taken into the custody of the Department of Child Services.
Officers described the home as “extremely unhealthy,” raising serious concerns about long-term neglect.
Arrests and justice for Zaelynn
Sintia Perez and Jace Hirschy were both arrested and charged with:
- Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death (Level 1 Felony)
- Two additional counts of Neglect of a Dependent (including a Level 6 Felony)
A wake-up call for everyone
Zaelynn’s story is painful to read—but it’s one that must be told. It’s a reminder that no child should suffer in silence, and that community members, family, and friends must be vigilant.
If a parent or caregiver feels overwhelmed, help is available. Safe Haven laws in many states allow parents to safely surrender a child at hospitals, fire stations, or through child protective services—no questions asked.
And if you suspect that a child may be in danger, don’t wait. Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 or visit www.childhelp.org. It’s open 24/7 and can make the difference between life and death.
Zaelynn should have been running around, giggling, and exploring the world. Instead, her life ended alone, in a dark closet, surrounded by silence. As a society, we must ask ourselves: Are we doing enough to protect our most vulnerable?
Let her story be a call to action—one that reminds us all that children deserve more than survival. They deserve love, safety, and a chance to grow.
