A Maryland mother’s and father’s failure to feed their children forced one of them to scrounge through their school’s garbage for food and resulted in another child dying, authorities say.
Bernice Byrd, 33, and Gerald Byrd, 36, pleaded guilty to first-degree child abuse resulting in death and first-degree child abuse in connection with the death of 5-year-old Zona Byrd, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday. State’s Attorney Ivan Bates was scathing in his reaction to the defendants’ actions, though pleased that “justice” was delivered.
“No punishment will be as severe for these defendants as living with the knowledge that they murdered their innocent child,” Bates said. “Today’s guilty plea does ensure the safety of Zona’s siblings, who are also victims of their parents’ horrific actions.”…