Trial set to begin for Milwaukee father accused of locking his 6 kids in storage unit
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A jury trial is set to start Monday, Jan. 12, for 33-year-old Charles Dupriest, a Milwaukee father charged for locking six children inside a storage unit.
On Sept. 16, 2025, Milwaukee police were called for a report of a crying baby inside a storage unit at StorSafe near 27th and Silver Spring.
When police went inside, six children were found, ages 2 months, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9.
Some of the children told police they were locked in the storage unit with no lights and used a bucket to go to the bathroom.
The oldest child told police he was responsible for caring for his five younger siblings when his parents were away.
Charles Dupriest
In court Monday, the defense agreed with prosecutors they would not cross examine the 9-year-old when he takes the stand.
"Over the weekend, I did talk to my client well at length preparing for the trial, of course. He did indicate he is concerned about his son...and he does not wish us to go ahead with his request to cross examine him," said Annamarie Wieneke, defense attorney.
Dupriest faces the following charges:
- Possession of a firearm by a felon
- Child neglect - specified harm didn't occur, child under 6
- Child neglect - specified harm didn't occur
The children's mother, 27-year-old Azyia Zielinski, reached a plea agreement last week with prosecutors, making her guilty of two misdemeanor charges. The four felony counts were dismissed. She will be sentenced March 19.
