Clinton Township Couple Starves 2-Year-Old Son To Death: Police

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI — A Clinton Township couple is facing life in prison after police said they starved their 2-year-old son to death.

Jonathon Matthew Cheek, 25, and Sierra Pearl Zaitona, 27, were charged with second degree murder (life felony) and second degree child abuse (10 year felony.)

Each parent was held on a $1 million bond, with their next court date set for April, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office. They must wear GPS tethers, if released from jail.

Prosecutors said the couple found their child dead in his crib on March 16. The coroner determined the child's death was caused by starvation, according to the prosecutor's office.

Prosecutors told a Macomb County judge the child was healthy in foster care, but that changed when he was retuned to his biological parents.

"I would like to thank the Clinton Township Police Department for their hard work during this investigation in the child’s death," Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said.

No further details were released by police.