Suspect Accused of Murdering Emaciated Daughter

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Cynthia H. Jones postponed the homicide trial of Gerald Byrd, 35, after parties requested more time to obtain his daughter’s autopsy report on May 28. Police say they discovered her emaciated body showing signs of severe malnutrition.

Byrd is charged with first- and second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse resulting in the death of a minor under 13 years of age. He also faces two counts each of first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury, second-degree child abuse by a custodian, second-degree child abuse in a household, neglect of minor, and reckless endangerment.

All charges are in connection to the death five-year-old Zona Byrd, that occurred last October at the Byrd family’s home in the 2200 block of Aiken Street.

On Oct. 14, 2024, Zona’s mother, Bernice Byrd, 32, told Zona’s aunt she was unsure if her daughter was alive. Zona’s aunt alerted police after finding Zona cold and unresponsive.

Officers noted she was clearly malnourished and emaciated, with visible ribs. They questioned Gerald and Bernice Byrd when and what Zona had last eaten, but neither parent remembered.

Byrd alledgedly admitted Zona and her brother were digging through garbage for food. While searching the house, officers found the kitchen cupboards bare. The refrigerator only contained a salad, while the freezer was packed with meat. Non-perishable food items were found locked away in the parents’ bedroom, beyond the children’s reach.

Both parties requested the postponement, and the prosecution noted they wished to rule out another other potential cause of death besides malnutrition. Defense attorney Deborah Levi and the prosecution both believed the trial date had been set too early in error.

Judge Jones transferred the postponement decision to Judge Melissa M. Phinn, who set a scheduling hearing for June 6 before Judge Melissa K. Copeland.