The story of Zaraz Walker's disappearance is a tragic one that began to unfold in February 2022. At just seven months old, Zaraz was reported missing from Bloomington, Illinois, under alarming circumstances. The situation came to light after her mother, Kimberlee Burton, was arrested for retail theft. Following the arrest, the father of two of Burton's other children arranged for his mother to pick them up. When the grandmother arrived, she found the five and six-year-old children alone in the residence, but there was no sign of the infant, Zaraz. This discovery prompted a call to the Bloomington Police Department for a well-being check on the infant. When officers conducted a search of the apartment, they found evidence that a baby had been living there, but Zaraz was nowhere to be found.
As the investigation deepened, a heart-wrenching narrative began to emerge. Authorities and family members grew increasingly concerned for the infant's safety. The Bloomington Police Department issued a public appeal for information, describing Zaraz as a Black female with black hair and brown eyes. During the course of their investigation, police arrested Kimberlee Burton on charges of felony child endangerment. It was later revealed that Burton had a history with the Department of Children and Family Services with multiple investigations having taken place in the years leading up to Zaraz's disappearance. These prior investigations included allegations of abandonment and abuse concerning her older children. Hospital staff had also reported Burton for erratic behavior after Zaraz's birth in July 2021.
Tragically, the search for Zaraz took a devastating turn when authorities announced they believed the infant was deceased. Kimberlee Burton was subsequently charged with concealment of a death. During the legal proceedings, it was revealed that Burton had told a family member that Zaraz had died while sleeping and that she had buried her in a nearby cemetery. Despite searches, Zaraz's body has never been recovered. The legal case against Burton concluded with her being found not guilty by reason of insanity. Psychiatrists determined that she suffered from a schizophrenic spectrum illness and PTSD. This case remains a somber reminder of a young life lost under deeply troubling circumstances. The overview of the case highlights a series of missed opportunities and red flags within the system designed to protect children, culminating in an outcome that has left a community mourning and a family searching for answers that may never fully come.
Last Seen: Feb 12, 2022
