The Remembering Zachary Project

Who is Zachary’s Army?

Since 2005, this little Meatball has amassed an army of people who have loved him, spoken up for him, and continued his legacy. If you’re here reading his momma’s words, you’re part of Zachary’s Army.

What can we do?

• Sign and share our Petition Started in 2020

Follow this link to sign our online petition. Sign and share with others asking them to do the same. We will present the full list of names to the parole board.

• Write A Letter to the Parole Board

A powerful way to share your voice. Speak up for Zachary and let the Parole Board understand the impact Zachary’s loss had either directly or indirectly on you.

See Image for Letter Formatting:

• Address to Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole

• Include

  • Justin C. Kinne

  • Inmate #: GS9298

  • SCI-Frackville

Your letter can address:

• Ask that Justin Kinne be denied parole for a minimum of three years

• Express that child murderers should serve nothing less than their full sentences

• Share the impact the murder of Zachary has had on you and/or the impact you witnessed it have on me or my family

• Recidivism is a concern. If let out, would he re-offend? After Zachary’s death we learned that he also hurt my daughter. How many other children has he hurt or would he go on to hurt? If you can’t control your temper with a 14 month old, who can you control it with?

How do I send my letter?

• Send the letter via email or traditional mail

  • Email to RememberingZachary@gmail.com with a subject line of “Parole Hearing - Justin Kinne” I will then pass the letter along to OVA and they will get it to the parole board on our behalf.

  • If you’d prefer to email them directly, please reach out to me and I will provide the direct email address.

  • You can also mail your letter. Please contact me and I will provide the address.

When should I write my letter?

As soon as possible. As long as the parole board receives letters before their decision, that is fine. It would be best to to submit letters by January 19.

Justin should go before the parole board in February and the board’s decision will be made between March and May.

WHY HELP?

What do you do when one morning you wake up and your child doesn’t?

I tucked two children into bed and only one of them woke up. Just like that, Zachary was gone forever.

My little love was just starting his life. At 14 months he was new to walking, full of the most incredible smiles & giggles and just beginning to explore his first words. He relied on the love and protection of the adults around him.

I made the forever regrettable, and devastating decision to allow Justin Kinne to “do me the favor” of watching Zachary when he was home sick with a fever. As a single mother, I was thankful for the help, it allowed me to work and provide for my children.

Instead of caring for my son he let his anger out on Zachary through a violent punch to his stomach. I was told my 14-month old was struck so hard that he flew across the room and hit his head on my one-and-a-half-inch-thick glass coffee table. I later learned that Justin attempted to comfort Zachary afteward and even cleaned up his vomit.

However when Justin was given FIVE full days, countless opportunities to TELL ANYONE what he did, he choose not to.

Justin Kinne choose himself because he knew what he did was wrong. He sat back and watched Zachary decline in health instead of try and save his life. He watched me worry about my boy, call the doctor, and question his symptoms.

It wasn’t until the days after Zachary’s murder, during police interviews, after the autopsy results and when his web of lies began to unravel, that Justin finally confessed. On May 28th, 2005, 4 days after Zachary’s death, Justin was arrested.

After nearly a year in the courts, he pled guilty to 3rd Degree Murder and received a sentence of 15-40 years in prison. May 28, 2020 marked his first eligibility for parole. He has been denied each time it has come up, 2020, 2021, 2023, and now hopefully in 2026. We are given minimal information about his denials, but the stated reasons have been consistent: lack of remorse AND lack of accountability.

Since the day Zachary has been gone I have felt this strong desire to hold on however I can. I have learned the painful truth that nothing can be said or done to bring him back or to fix the pain I carry. I will bear this grief forever, and I will continue to do what is necessary to remember Zachary, fight for him, and be his strong momma.

At the end of this process, I need to know that I have done everything I possibly could to speak for Zachary. I do no believe there is any sentence long enough to repay the life that was taken from our world.

How do I adequately express how Zachary’s loss has affected me? I’m not sure I can paint that picture alone. My words tell only one part of the story. Together, with your help, your signatures and your letters, we will continue to paint a vivid picture of the lasting impact of Zachary’s loss. This is all I can do and it’s the only part of this proces where I have any control.

If you’ve read this far, thank you. Thank you for being a friend to me and for loving Zachary.

There’s an old adage that I have grown to love.

“Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable”

I have felt stronger and more capable because of you, Zachary’s Army.

With love,

Chrissy

Zachary’s Momma Bear