According to prosecutors, Sierra Zaitona allegedly discovered her 2-year-old son deceased in his crib on March 16, 2023. Cheek was visiting his mother at the time but returned home after the boy’s death. The medical examiner determined the child died of starvation.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said, “This is a heartbreaking and profoundly sad case. A 2-year-old child, full of potential and deserving of love and care, was failed in the most devastating way. No sentence can bring back this innocent life, but hopefully the family can begin to heal.”