MOUNT CLEMENS, MI – This week, a woman from Michigan received a lengthy prison sentence for the death of her toddler, a tragedy that unfolded two years ago and shocked the community.
Sierra Pearl Zaitona, 29, entered a no contest plea to charges of second-degree murder and child abuse in connection with the death of her two-year-old son. The child found unresponsive in his crib, had suffered from severe starvation, leading to the charges against his parents.
Authorities responded to a 911 call in March 2023 placed by Zaitona and the boy’s father, Jonathon Matthew Cheek, after they discovered their son unresponsive. Both parents faced allegations of having purposefully starved their son, resulting in his death.
Cheek, 26, reached a plea agreement with Macomb County prosecutors in late 2024, leading up to his sentencing. On December 18, he was sentenced to serve 24 to 50 years for the homicide, accompanied by an additional sentence of up to 10 years for child abuse. These terms are to be served concurrently, with credit given for time spent in custody.
Zaitona received her sentence on April 9, mirroring Cheek’s punishment after her no contest plea. Both parents confronted the prospect of a life sentence for their charges. Additionally, Zaitona will be placed on Michigan’s Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect, denoting the serious nature of her offenses.
In a statement, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido addressed the gravity of the case, highlighting the family’s lasting devastation from the loss of such a young life. He expressed hope that the concluded legal process would bring some level of healing and resolution to the grieving family members.
The investigation revealed chilling details about the child’s final months. An autopsy concluded starvation as the cause of death. Prior to his return to the parental home, the boy had been in foster care, where he was noted to be in good health, contrasting sharply with the state in which he was found.
The case has drawn significant attention, not only due to the severity of the consequences faced by the parents but also because it follows a well-documented pattern of neglect that alarmed many in the child welfare community.