The Milwaukee Storage Unit Horror: What Happened To The 6 Children And Their Parents?

The shocking discovery of six young children locked inside a filthy, unheated storage unit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in September 2022, sent a wave of horror across the nation. This deeply disturbing case of alleged child neglect involved six siblings, the youngest of whom was just a two-month-old baby, living in conditions described by authorities as "putrid" and "deplorable." As of December 18, 2025, the legal proceedings against the couple charged in connection with this crime—Charles Albert Dupriest and Azyia C. Zielinski—have provided a grim picture of the extreme challenges facing vulnerable families and the failures of the social safety net.

The case quickly became a flashpoint for discussions about homelessness, child welfare, and the severe consequences of extreme parental neglect. The details revealed during the initial court appearances painted a horrifying scene of sustained abuse and indifference, raising profound questions about how such a situation could go unnoticed for so long.

Key Figures and The Charges Filed

The criminal complaint filed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office named the two adults responsible for the children, detailing their background and the specific charges they faced following the discovery.

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• Charles Albert Dupriest
  • Age at Incident: 33 years old
  • Role: Father of the six children
  • Charges: Multiple counts of Child Neglect (as a party to a crime), with a prior felony conviction noted in court documents.
  • Latest Legal Status: Pleaded Not Guilty and was bound over for trial in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court (Status as of early 2023).
• Azyia C. Zielinski
  • Age at Incident: 26 years old
  • Role: Mother of the six children
  • Charges: Multiple counts of Child Neglect (as a party to a crime).
  • Latest Legal Status: Pleaded Not Guilty and was bound over for trial in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court (Status as of early 2023).
• The Six Children
  • Ages: Ranging from 2 months old to 9 years old.
  • Status: Removed from the parents' custody and placed in the care of Child Protective Services (CPS).

The Deplorable Discovery and Immediate Aftermath

The harrowing situation came to light on a Tuesday morning in September 2022 at the StorSafe self-storage facility on North 27th Street in Milwaukee. The discovery was not made by a routine inspection but by a concerned individual who noticed suspicious activity.

Conditions Inside the Storage Unit

Police and child protective services found a scene of absolute squalor and desperation. The six young children, all under the age of 10, were locked inside a small, unventilated unit with no power, no running water, and no sanitation.

• Lack of Sanitation: The children were reportedly forced to use a bucket for a toilet, and the floor was covered in filth and human waste.
• Sleeping Arrangements: They were sleeping on a mattress and a small cot, huddled together in the dark, cold unit.
• Ages of the Victims: The vulnerability of the children was highlighted by the presence of a two-month-old infant among the siblings, alongside children aged 2, 4, 5, 7, and 9.

The criminal complaint detailed that Dupriest and Zielinski were allegedly sleeping in a roomy SUV parked just outside the storage unit, along with the family dog, while their children were locked away in the putrid conditions. This detail underscored the severity of the alleged neglect, suggesting a deliberate choice to prioritize their own comfort over the safety and well-being of their six young dependents.

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The Legal Proceedings: Charges and Court Battles

Following their arrests, both Charles Albert Dupriest and Azyia C. Zielinski were charged with multiple felony counts of child neglect. In Wisconsin, child neglect is a serious offense, especially when it results in great bodily harm or, as in this case, creates a substantial risk of such harm. The charges reflect the sheer number of children involved and the extreme nature of the living environment.

The Not Guilty Pleas

Both parents entered pleas of not guilty to the charges during their initial court appearances. Azyia Zielinski, visibly distressed in court, had a motion to dismiss the charges denied by the judge, leading to her case being bound over for trial. This means the prosecution presented enough evidence to convince a judge that the case should proceed to a full trial, where a jury or judge will ultimately decide guilt or innocence.

The case has been subject to numerous delays and procedural hearings, which is common in complex criminal cases involving multiple victims and severe charges. The legal system must carefully navigate the evidence of neglect while also considering the welfare of the children and the constitutional rights of the defendants.

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The Broader Context of Neglect and Child Welfare

The Milwaukee storage unit case is a tragic example of how homelessness and poverty can intersect with severe parental neglect, pushing families into desperate and dangerous circumstances. The couple was reportedly kicked out of a shelter, leading them to use the self-storage unit as a last resort for housing the children.

The Role of Self-Storage Facilities

This incident also highlighted a growing, albeit rare, issue involving self-storage facilities. While these units are intended for storing property, they are occasionally used illegally as temporary living spaces by individuals facing housing crises. However, the conditions in these units—lack of light, climate control, ventilation, and emergency exits—make them inherently unsafe, especially for infants and young children.

Topical Authority: Child Neglect Entities

The entities and concepts surrounding this case are crucial for understanding its gravity:

• Child Protective Services (CPS): The agency responsible for investigating and intervening in cases of alleged child abuse and neglect.
• Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office: The body responsible for prosecuting the felony child neglect charges.
• Wisconsin Statutes: The specific laws governing child neglect and abuse in the state.
• Homelessness and Housing Insecurity: The underlying societal issues that contributed to the family's dire situation.
• Trauma and Child Development: The long-term psychological impact on the six children who endured such an environment.
• StorSafe Self-Storage: The specific location where the deplorable conditions were discovered.

The six children, now under the care of CPS, face a long road to recovery from the physical and emotional trauma of living in such a "putrid" environment. The outcome of the trials for Charles Albert Dupriest and Azyia C. Zielinski will determine the legal accountability for this horrific act of neglect, but the lasting impact on the lives of the young victims remains the most significant and heartbreaking aspect of this Milwaukee tragedy.