Macomb County man pleads to second-degree murder in death of son from starvation – The Oakland Press

A 26-year-old Clinton Township man accused along with his girlfriend of letting their child starve to death has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and agreed to serve at least 24 years in prison.

Jonathan M. Cheek entered pleas Monday to second-degree murder and child abuse in Macomb County Circuit Court for the death of his 2-year-old son in March 2023, according to court records.

He pleaded guilty to striking a deal with Judge Edward Servitto for him to be sentenced to serve 24 to 50 years in prison, records show.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18.

His co-defendant, Sierra Pearl Zaitona, 28, the child’s mother, is also charged with second-degree murder and second-degree child abuse; she faces a final pretrial on March 17 and a trial on April 1, records show.

There is no indication in court records whether Cheek agreed to testify against Zaitona at trial.

Cheek’s attorney could not be reached for comment Tuesday morning.

The child died on March 16, 2023 from what authorities say was starvation. The couple were brought to court four days later. The child was in foster care but was returned to the couple, according to prosecutors.

Zaitona has at least one other child.

After her arrest, Zaitona was arrested on a misdemeanor theft warrant in 2018 and pleaded guilty in Clinton Township 41B District Court, according to court records. She was sentenced to 45 days in jail and 18 months of probation.

Three eviction notices were filed against the couple in 2023 by Rivers Edge Mobile Home Park, located off Clinton River Road west of Garfield Road, records show.