Detroit Boy Told CPS His Mother Wanted to Kill Him—Months Later, He Was Found Buried in a Backyard

System failure: Despite multiple warnings from 9-year-old Zemar King about abuse, the judicial system took no action. His mother now faces murder charges.

Detroit, MI – Six months before 9-year-old Zemar King was discovered buried in a shallow grave, he told Child Protective Services (CPS) that his mother had choked him, beaten him with a belt, and wanted to kill him. His chilling statements raise troubling questions about whether CPS officials took appropriate action—or any action at all—to protect him.

Earlier this month, Wayne County prosecutors charged 29-year-old Brandee Pierce with Zemar's murder, stating that he died from smothering and neck compression. His body was found in January after a neighbor noticed what appeared to be a foot protruding from the ground.

CPS records are typically confidential, even after a child's death. However, internal documents obtained by 7 News Detroit reveal that state officials had been repeatedly warned—over several years—that Zemar was in danger. Despite at least four separate complaints against Pierce dating back to 2015, CPS continued to close cases against her, ultimately failing to intervene before it was too late.

A History of Warnings Ignored

Records show that the first CPS complaint was filed in 2015 when Pierce admitted to using marijuana and alcohol during her first trimester of pregnancy. In 2019, another report surfaced after then 4-year-old Zemar was found alone in the lobby of an apartment complex. When questioned, he told police he didn't know where he belonged and that his mother had left him there while she went to the store. CPS dismissed the case, citing insufficient evidence.

Two years later, surveillance footage captured Pierce leaving Zemar in a locked car for over 90 minutes while she attended a doctor's appointment. The outside temperature was 78 degrees, and police found the child alone and crying. Pierce later told authorities that Zemar was a "heavy sleeper" and that she had no other options. CPS again declined to take further action.

The Final Plea for Help

In April 2024, just months before his death, a desperate Pierce checked herself into a Plymouth hospital, reporting severe anxiety, depression, and financial distress. She told CPS she was homeless and questioned whether she should give up custody of one of her children. She had been evicted, her car had been repossessed, and she had nowhere to go.

But it was Zemar's own words that were the most alarming. He revealed that he had not attended school for over a year, often went without food, and was physically abused by his mother. "She whoops me with a belt, chokes me with her hands, and wants to kill me," he told CPS.

Despite the harrowing statements, CPS concluded there was “no preponderance of evidence" of neglect. They provided Pierce with pamphlets for community resources and placed the family in a homeless shelter. The case was closed.

A Preventable Tragedy

Prosecutors say that in October 2024, months after Zemar's final CPS report, Pierce followed through with his worst fears. Authorities allege she purchased a shovel, tied the boy's hands and feet together, and buried him in the backyard of a rental home they once lived in. His body remained undiscovered until January 2025.

Pierce was arrested in Georgia after police found her other child alone in a locked car in freezing temperatures. Officers also discovered human feces and a deflated air mattress inside the vehicle.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services declined to comment on whether CPS employees involved in the case are under investigation. However, a spokesperson stated that the agency is "heartbroken” over Zemar's death and remains committed to protecting children's safety.

Child welfare advocate Frank Vandervort criticized CPS's repeated inaction. "This is a train wreck you can see coming, and no one does anything to stop it."

How You Can Help

Zemar King's family is raising funds for his funeral expenses. Donations can be made through their GoFundMe page.

Share this story to raise awareness about child protective services' failures. If you can, donate to Zemar King’s funeral fund and help support his grieving family.