A Georgia couple, William and Zachary Zulock, has been sentenced to 100 years in prison without the possibility of parole for the sexual abuse of their two adopted sons, aged 12 and 10. The couple, who adopted the boys from a Christian special-needs agency, recorded and shared their heinous acts on social media, boasting about the abuse to friends and acquaintances.
According to the Walton County District Attorney’s office, both men pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, and sexual exploitation of children. The abuse, which reportedly began when the children were just three and five years old, was discovered after authorities received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, alerting them to homemade child sexual abuse material uploaded to a Google account linked to the couple.
District Attorney Randy McGinley, expressing his horror at the case, stated, "These two Defendants truly created a house of horrors and put their extremely dark desires above everything and everyone else." He continued, emphasizing the unwavering resolve of the young victims who faced unimaginable suffering: "The resolve I have seen from these two young victims over the last two years is truly inspiring." His comments reflect the widespread abhorrence felt by the community and the law enforcement agencies involved.
The Zulocks resided in wealthier areas of Atlanta, presenting themselves as loving parents, yet they engaged in systematic abuse behind closed doors. Evidence revealed they utilized social media platforms not only to share images of their abuse but also to connect with other individuals involved in local pedophilia networks, reinforcing the predatory nature of their actions.
When investigators searched the couple's home, they found over seven terabytes of disturbing digital evidence. This included graphic images, videos, and text messages discussing the abuse, filmed by the Zulocks across various parts of their house. Surveillance footage captured instances of abuse, confirming the severity and regularity of these heinous acts.
Authorities first became suspicious when they were tipped off about another local individual connected to downloading child pornography. Upon questioning, both William and Zachary Zulock admitted to years of abuse against their adopted children, who had been placed with them by All God's Children Inc., an organization specializing in Christian special-needs adoptions. The Zulocks had adopted the children around 2018, ostensibly to provide them with the loving home they were promised but instead subjected them to relentless abuse.
Reflecting on the outcome of the case, District Attorney McGinley noted the exemplary work of law enforcement and the support systems established to protect children. He expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am grateful for the hard work of so many to obtain an appropriate outcome in this case. The hard work of law enforcement put an end to the abuse suffered by the victims, and this resolution will help the victims continue their process of healing.”
The cases against the Zulocks are not isolated, as two other men in connection with local pedophilic activities were also prosecuted. Hunter Clay Lawless and Luis Armando Vizcarro-Sanchez received prison sentences after agreeing to testify against the Zulocks, shining light on the larger network of abuse surrounding the couple.
William and Zachary Zulock's case acts as both a grim warning and rallying cry for greater vigilance against child abuse, as well as a reminder of the urgent need for improved protections for children, especially those adopted from vulnerable situations. McGinley underscored the gravity of the situation, reiteratively calling for strict consequences for anyone who abuses children entrusted to their care.
Parents with such responsibilities must be held to the highest standards of care, and as McGinley emphasized, "the sentence imposed not only appropriately punishes these Defendants for their repeated selfish actions but also sends the message to the public such actions will never be taken lightly." This chilling case showcases the realities of child abuse and exploitation, warning society against complacency and highlighting the necessity for accountability and protection of the innocent.
