Parents charged with murder after 5-year-old found dead in Baltimore home

Two Baltimore parents are facing murder charges after their 5-year-old daughter was found dead in their home, according to court documents. 

Bernice Byrd and Gerald Byrd were both arrested in October 2024 after the 5-year-old was found unresponsive in her bed by another family member. 

Both parents were initially charged with neglect, abuse resulting in death and several counts of child abuse. Both were later also charged with murder. 

During a court hearing Thursday morning, Bernice and Gerald declined to take a plea deal that would have resulted in a 60-year prison sentence and five years of supervised probation. 

The trial date was tentatively set for May 28 as court officials continue to wait for the results of a competency exam ordered for Bernice. 

Child found emaciated 

Police were called to the Byrds' home on Aiken Street by the child's aunt after Bernice said she was concerned about her daughter, Zona Byrd, as she was unresponsive. 

Zona's aunt reported that the child was "not moving and ice cold." Paramedics confirmed that the child had died. According to court documents, neither parent could remember when they last saw Zona alive. 

Police reported that Zona was extremely malnourished and emaciated and that her ribs were visible. 

Court documents show that Bernice and Gerald could not remember when Zona was last fed or the last food she ate. Gerald reportedly implied that their four children had been going through the garbage to find food. 

Bernice and Gerald's three other children were taken from the home. Police said their 6-year-old son was also found to be severely malnourished and barely able to walk. The children were sent to live with relatives. 

Prior child abuse

According to court documents, Bernice and Gerald had previously been accused of child abuse and assault in 2019 after one of their daughters went to school with a black eye. She told police it was from a fight with her parents. 

Court documents show that Bernice had taken the child's phone and hit her before the child went to her room. Gerald then forced his way in and attempted to stab her with a knife before kicking and punching her. 

Gerald pleaded guilty to assault and served time, and the case against Bernice was indefinitely postponed and later closed.