Wisconsin Father Sentenced for Locking 6 Children in Storage Unit Overnight

Charles Dupriest will serve 5 years in prison for child neglect and firearm possession charges.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small, worn child's toy or other object related to the crime, dramatically lit by a harsh flash against a pitch-black background, conveying the gritty, investigative nature of this disturbing incident.A harsh flash illuminates the squalid conditions that vulnerable children were forced to endure in this case of egregious parental neglect.Today in Milwaukee

A 33-year-old Wisconsin father, Charles Dupriest, has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for locking his 6 young children, including a newborn, inside a storage unit overnight while he slept in a large SUV with his wife and dog. Dupriest was convicted on 9 criminal charges, including 5 felony counts of child neglect and 1 count of firearm possession by a felon.

Why it matters

The case highlights the difficult choices and circumstances some families face regarding housing and childcare, but the judge emphasized that Dupriest's actions put his children in serious danger, requiring accountability beyond just love for his family.

The details

Police responded to a report of a crying child inside a locked storage unit at 1:33 a.m. on September 16th. They found the unit containing a couch, twin bed, and a bucket used as a toilet, with 6 children ranging from 2 months to 9 years old sleeping inside. The unit was described as having a "putrid" smell. Dupriest and his wife were found sleeping in a Ford Expedition in the parking lot with their dog, while the children were left unsupervised in the storage unit.

  • On September 16th at 1:33 a.m., police responded to the report of a crying child inside the locked storage unit.
  • Dupriest was sentenced on April 10, 2026.

The players

Charles A. Dupriest

A 33-year-old Wisconsin father who was convicted and sentenced to 5 years in prison for locking his 6 young children, including a newborn, inside a storage unit overnight.

Zielinski

Dupriest's wife, who was also charged in the case and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child neglect, receiving probation.

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What they’re saying

“I understand the situation is very serious. This has affected them. My absence has affected them, and me being absent from them further would continue to affect them negatively.”

— Charles Dupriest

“Mr. Dupriest may love his children, but preventing future harm requires more than that. It requires accountability. It requires a genuine commitment to change. We don't see that here.”

— Prosecutor

What’s next

The judge ordered Dupriest to undergo parenting classes and mental health treatment as part of his 5-year extended supervision after his prison sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights the difficult choices and circumstances some families face, but the judge emphasized that Dupriest's actions put his children in serious danger, requiring accountability beyond just love for his family.