Couple Sentenced to Life for Felony Child Abuse and Gross Neglect for Fatally Starving 5-Year-Old Daughter

On Nov 12, Gerald Sr. Byrd, 36, and Bernice Byrd, 33, were sentenced for felony child abuse and neglect that led to the death of their five-year-old daughter, Zona Byrd, and the starvation of their son, who survived. An autopsy revealed Zona weighed 17.5 pounds at the time of her death. According to prosecutors the only thing in her stomach was about a teaspoon of liquid, stating that this was not “something that was sudden.” On Oct 14, 2024, Baltimore City Police (BPD) responding to the Byrd residence on the 2200 Block of Aiken Street found Zona lying on a bed on the second floor- unresponsive, emaciated and “ice cold” to the touch.

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