Co-defendants Gerald Byrd, 35, and Bernice Byrd, 32, appeared in reception court on June 6 to set a date for their joint trial.
The parents face various charges of murder, child abuse, reckless endangerment, and neglect for the murder of their daughter, 5-year-old Zona Byrd, at their residence in the 2200 block of Aiken Street.
Bernice Byrd allegedly found their daughter dead in her bed on Oct. 14, 2024. She weighed 17-and-a-half pounds and showed signs of severe malnutrition. According to police, her parents could not remember the last time they had seen her alive, or the last time she had eaten. Neither parent took responsibility for feeding the child.
The prosecution found Bernice Byrd to be mentally competent in a previous evaluation, but defense attorney Phillip Levin said he wished to obtain a second opinion to ensure that she is able to understand the proceedings.
The trial is set to begin on Oct 21 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Cynthia H. Jones.
