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

Gerald Byrd, 36, and Bernice Byrd, 33, were sentenced on Nov. 12 for felony child abuse and neglect leading to the death of their five-year-old daughter, Zona Byrd and the starvation of their six-year-old son, who survived the emaciating ordeal. The couple was sentenced by Judge Dana Middleton in Baltimore City Circuit Court to life, suspend all but 60 years for child abuse resulting in the death of a child under the age of 13, along with 16 years concurrent for child abuse resulting in severe injury. An autopsy revealed Zona weighed 17.5 pounds at the time of her death. On Oct. 14, 2024, officers responding to the Byrd residence on the 2200 block of Aiken Street found Zona lying on a bed in the home’s second floor—unresponsive, emaciated and “ice cold” to the touch. The defendants had agreed to separate plea deals in order to prevent traumatizing the children any further, according to attorneys representing the parents.

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