The case of William and Zachary Zulock, two adoptive fathers from suburban Atlanta, Georgia, unveiled a horrifying tale of child sexual abuse and exploitation that shocked the community and raised serious questions about adoption processes. The couple, who portrayed a picture-perfect family life on social media, pleaded guilty to a series of heinous crimes, including aggravated sodomy, child molestation, incest, and sexual exploitation of children. Their victims were their own adopted sons, aged 10 and 12 at the time of the investigation, whom they subjected to years of systematic abuse, meticulously documented and shared with other pedophiles online. Both men received sentences of 100 years without parole, ensuring they will spend the rest of their lives behind bars.
The Zulocks’ crimes extended beyond the confines of their opulent $900,000 home. They actively participated in a depraved online network, sharing videos and images of the abuse and even offering their sons to other members. Text messages retrieved during the investigation revealed chilling discussions about the abuse, demonstrating the calculated and predatory nature of their actions. One particularly disturbing exchange detailed Zachary Zulock’s plans to abuse one of his sons, shared with an associate on Snapchat. The sheer volume of evidence collected, exceeding seven terabytes, including surveillance footage from within their home, underscored the extent and duration of the abuse.
The investigation, initiated by a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the upload of child sexual abuse material from a Walton County IP address, quickly led authorities to the Zulocks’ residence. The subsequent raid uncovered a trove of evidence that painted a horrifying picture of the boys’ ordeal. This included not only the aforementioned footage and messages but also graphic images that further documented the abuse. The couple’s digital footprint provided undeniable proof of their crimes and ultimately led to their convictions.
The case also implicated
