The parents of a 2-year-old in Clinton Township face up to life in prison in connection with his death of starvation last week, Macomb County prosecutors said.
Jonathon Cheek, 25, and Sierra Zaitona, 27, were arraigned Monday on second-degree murder and second-degree child abuse charges by Magistrate Ryan Zemke in Clinton Township's 41-B District Court. Bond was set at $1 million cash each and they would each have to wear a GPS tether if released.
Police said officers and firefighters were called Thursday to the couple's home on Dominique Street for a report of an unresponsive 2-year-old child. They found the child dead, officials said in a statement Tuesday.
A coroner determined that the 2-year-old boy had starved to death.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. April 3 in front of District Court Judge Jacob Femminineo, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office.
Clinton Township police urge anyone with information about the incident to call Detective Thomas Hill at (586) 493-7886.
