From the outside, the apartment complex in Berne, Indiana, seemed like any other quiet neighborhood on an ordinary November day.
A young family lived there — just like countless others. But behind the door of Unit 3B, a chilling secret lay hidden, a silent tragedy that would soon shatter a community’s peace.
What began as a routine death investigation quickly unraveled into something far darker. The victim was a two-year-old girl named Zaelynn, whose life was cut short in the most preventable way imaginable — a haunting reminder of what neglect can do when left unchecked.
A Child Left to Suffer in Silence
If raising a child becomes overwhelming, there are options — family members, hospitals, fire stations, or child protective services are always there to help. Every child deserves safety, love, and care. Sadly, Zaelynn never received that chance.
The Investigation That Stunned Even Seasoned Officers
Reports from WANE revealed horrifying details discovered by officers called to the scene in late 2024. Sintia Perez, 21, and Jace Hirschy, 23, were found at home with two of their three children. But the couple’s evasive answers about Zaelynn raised alarm bells.
Inside the cramped apartment, conditions were dire. The family lived amid filth, with cockroach infestations, mold-covered food, and older children battling lice. But worst of all was the cruel place where Zaelynn was forced to sleep: a small closet with a space heater pushed dangerously close.
A Closet Turned Lethal Chamber
The toddler’s death was ruled a result of hyperthermia — her body overwhelmed by extreme heat. Court records describe officers stepping into the closet, feeling a sudden blast of scorching air, where Zaelynn lay on a filthy mattress inside a crib. Her diaper was unchanged, her skin marked by prolonged exposure to the lethal heat.
Autopsy results shocked even the medical examiners: her internal temperature had soared to 109.4°F. Perez admitted to placing Zaelynn in the closet around 7 p.m. and cranking the heater to near maximum. Neither parent checked on her for nearly 20 hours, waking only after the child had already died.
Remembering Zaelynn: A Light Snuffed Out Too Soon
Zaelynn’s obituary paints a picture of a joyful, spirited child, known for her bright blue eyes and infectious giggle. “Her smile could light up any room,” it reads, a stark contrast to the horror that ended her life.
Family and friends mourned her loss, overwhelmed with grief at the cruel circumstances.
Justice and a Call to Action
Perez and Hirschy now face charges including Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, a Level 1 felony. They remain in custody, awaiting trial scheduled for March 7, 2025. Meanwhile, the two surviving children were immediately placed in protective care.
Zaelynn’s story is a heartbreaking testament to the dire consequences of neglect. It exposes a gap in intervention and a call for vigilance in protecting vulnerable children.
Final Thoughts
This tragedy is not just about one family’s failure — it is a stark warning to all of us. A child, full of promise and light, was lost due to preventable neglect and silence behind closed doors.
As this case moves through the justice system, may it spark greater awareness and inspire action to ensure no other child suffers in silence. Zaelynn deserved a future — and her story demands that we remember, reflect, and act.