Be Warned Mug: Baltimore Parents Arrested After Emaciated 5YO Girl Dies

[Sugar Cookie]

Baltimore police arrested the parents of a 5-year-old girl who died Monday afternoon.

City police said both parents, Bernice Byrd, 32, and Gerald Byrd, 34, were charged with first- and second-degree child abuse and child neglect resulting in the death of a child.

Police said officers were called to investigate the death of a 5-year-old child. Police said officers observed signs of trauma on the girl and homicide detectives took over the investigation as a questionable death.

The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy. Police said not all signs of trauma are immediately indicative of criminal activity or specific causes, and they want to make sure they thoroughly investigate.

Police also said three other children were at the home and were removed by officers and Child Protective Services. One of the children was taken to a hospital, while the other two are currently in the care of relatives.

Police arrest parents in death of 5-year-old girl

Baltimore police are investigating a child's death Monday afternoon as questionable.

www.wbaltv.com

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Charging documents paint a heartbreaking picture of the neglect and starvation endured by a five-year old girl before she tragically passed away.

Zona Byrd was discovered dead inside her bedroom.

Her mother Bernice, 32, couldn't even recall the last time she saw Zona alive.

This is how detectives described Zona's appearance.

"The victim's body was remarkable for its severely emaciated state. The ribs were clearly visible and it was readily apparent that the victim was extremely malnourished."

Bernice and Zona's father, Gerald Sr., placed blame on their son who shared a room with Zona over the weekend.

The couple claims Zona complained of head pain on October 11 after she and the brother allegedly got into a disagreement, but they sought no medical attention.

Investigators took issue with this account of events because they say the brother could barely stand or walk due to his own "gaunt" condition.

Another child in the home, whose only six-years of age, was severely underweight as well at 35 pounds.

Neither parent could tell police when their children last ate. Both also refused to take responsibility for feeding them.

Gerald, 34, admitted that Zona and her brother would go through trash to find food.

A search of the family's kitchen revealed nothing to eat within the children's reach.

However, upstairs locked in their parents bedroom closet, was several non-perishable food items.

Besides Zona, three other young siblings were removed from the house. Family relatives took custody of two, while the third required further medical treatment.

Bernice and Gerald were accused of kicking and punching another child in 2019 for not cleaning her bedroom.

The daughter also reported Gerald forced his way into her bedroom and tried stabbing her multiple times with a knife.

Court records show Gerald pleaded guilty to second degree assault and was sentenced to five years behind bars. The judge, though, suspended the entire jail term with exception to five days and two years probation. Bernice's case was tossed out.

Charging documents reveal neglect, starvation endured by 5-year old girl before tragic death

Charging documents paint a heartbreaking picture of the neglect and starvation endured by a five-year old girl before she tragically passed away.

www.wmar2news.com

 

[hiitsme]

Why do people who starve their kids never look like THEY'RE starving???

 

[the cat did it]

I can't wrap my head around how they got away with murder?!?!?! And not just murder but got away with EVERYTHING-especially the Pig Mother-her case tossed out? How? If these kids were starved like they say- they were emaciated, food locked away or out of reach and they even admitted that the kids would go thru trash looking for food, they can't remember when they fed them last, Pig Mother can't even remember when she saw her child alive last, tried to stab another child-how in the holy fuck did these "people" (I use the term loosely) get away with this or any of it?!?!?!?!!!!! what a slap in the face to that poor babies memory and the surviving children are now learning there is nowhere safe, nothing can be done to truly protect them and give any of them justice. What a f'n disgrace

 

[HijabiGirl]

I will never, ever understand how adults can watch children starve. These cases make me burn with rage. If they didn't want these kids, just place them in loving families who would adopt them. But no, these fat asses locked up food and watched these children waste away. I have teeny, petite children because I am very petite. I literally gasped when I read a 6 year old was only 35 pounds because my children have NEVER been that small.

 

[GoneWest]

I can't wrap my head around how they got away with murder?!?!?! And not just murder but got away with EVERYTHING-especially the Pig Mother-her case tossed out? How? If these kids were starved like they say- they were emaciated, food locked away or out of reach and they even admitted that the kids would go thru trash looking for food, they can't remember when they fed them last, Pig Mother can't even remember when she saw her child alive last, tried to stab another child-how in the holy fuck did these "people" (I use the term loosely) get away with this or any of it?!?!?!?!!!!! what a slap in the face to that poor babies memory and the surviving children are now learning there is nowhere safe, nothing can be done to truly protect them and give any of them justice. What a f'n disgrace

They haven’t gotten away with this-yet. The tossed case and suspended sentence are from 2019.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

No matter how bad it is most kids would rather stay with their parents than go into foster care where sometimes they are treated no better and are separated from their siblings.

 

[Busy Bee]

Mr. Spider head and Ms two-chin should be sterilized, have their parental rights severed and spend the rest of their retched lives in prison! I think the death penalty should be used, but that probably won’t happen! This didn’t happen overnight, the children were slowly starving, how can you see your children go hungry and not do everything you can! I hope the relatives who took the children in are not like the parents!! The harshest punishment should be given to them!

 

[Granmaw]

I have to admit before I read the story I was like "I bet she starved her". She just has that look. Fat, beastly, and mean. And evidently very fertile. What a horrible combination. The only thing missing in this story is cockroaches, shit/piss, and a pit bull or 5.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Her teacher posted this.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

She gives formerfoster child face and special education classes.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin ordered a woman accused of neglecting, abusing, and murdering her 5-year-old daughter to return to court May 5 for a jury trial in a March 26 hearing.

Bernice Byrd's attorney, Phillip Levin, requested a mental competency evaluation for Byrd due to her history of struggles with anxiety and depression. Also submitted a not criminally responsible (NCR) plea.

Trial Set for Child Abuse Defendant - Baltimore Witness

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Gale E. Rasin ordered a woman accused of neglecting, abusing, and murdering her 5-year-old daughter to return to court May 5 for a jury trial...

baltimorewitness.org