A Wisconsin father has been sentenced to years in prison after authorities found his six young children locked inside a storage unit overnight while he slept in a nearby vehicle.
Sentencing and Charges
Charles Dupriest, 33, was sentenced to five years in prison followed by five years of extended supervision after being convicted on nine charges.
Those include five felony counts of child neglect and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. The judge ordered the prison term based on the firearm conviction, while the neglect charges will run concurrently.
In court, the judge emphasized that the case centered on “choices that put children in danger,” rejecting arguments that the situation was solely about financial hardship.
Children Found in Storage Unit
The case began in the early morning hours of Sept. 16, when Milwaukee police responded to a report of a crying child inside a locked storage unit.
Officers arrived at the facility and heard a child crying from inside a unit secured with a padlock. Fire personnel cut the lock to gain entry.
Inside, authorities found six children ranging in age from 2 months to 9 years old.
Conditions Inside
Investigators described the storage unit as dark, cluttered and unsanitary.
According to police, the children had no proper lighting aside from a small gap in the door. A bucket in the middle of the unit was being used as a toilet, and officers said the smell was overwhelming.
The children were found sleeping among piles of items, with minimal provisions.
Children Left Alone Overnight
Authorities said the children had been left alone while Dupriest and the children’s mother slept in an SUV parked outside with their dog.
Police later located the parents in the vehicle, noting that there was space inside for the children.
According to investigators, the oldest child, age 9, had been left in charge of caring for the younger siblings, including an infant.
Statements From Children
Court documents say the children told investigators they were instructed to stay quiet inside the unit.
One child said they felt “sad” and “mad” about being locked inside and were upset that the family dog was allowed to sleep in the vehicle while they were not.
The oldest child also reported being hungry and having no way to contact anyone in an emergency.
Parents’ Response
Dupriest and the children’s mother told authorities they were homeless but acknowledged the children could have stayed with other family members.
Before sentencing, Dupriest addressed the court, saying he understood the seriousness of the situation and the impact on his children.
Prosecutors argued that concern alone was not enough, stressing the need for accountability given the level of risk involved.
Additional Requirements
As part of his sentence, Dupriest will be required to complete parenting classes and undergo mental health treatment during his supervised release.
The children’s mother, who was also charged, previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child neglect and was sentenced to probation.
Case Impact
The case drew attention for the conditions the children were living in and raised broader concerns about child safety and supervision.
The judge ultimately ruled that the decisions made in this case placed vulnerable children in significant danger, warranting a substantial prison sentence.
