St. Louis County, MO – 2025
A Missouri foster family has issued a heartbreaking alert to the judicial system regarding the safety of their 4-year-old foster son, Zaydian Dopirak, warning against his return to his biological father. Tragically, their pleas went unheeded, and Zaydian lost his life under his father’s care in January 2022.
Local news outlet KTVI has followed this case closely, attending the emotional court proceedings that marked a significant resolution this week. In a somber atmosphere, the couple, Dawn and Jeff James, received comfort from a therapy dog as they mourned. Their grief was palpable as the proceedings commenced.
The James family, who had raised Zaydian since he was just 4 months old, expressed that he should still be alive today. “We should have never been here if the courts had initially considered our concerns,” Dawn James stated outside the courthouse.
Tragic Outcome After Seeking Guardianship
KTVI first reported on the family in early 2022, as they reflected on Zaydian’s journey from suffering a traumatic brain injury at just 5 weeks old—an injury inflicted by his biological father that led him into foster care. Despite initial doubts about his future, Zaydian defied expectations, walking and thriving under the James family’s care. They ultimately sought legal guardianship, fully believing the court would support their case after four years together.
Dawn revealed that multiple professionals, including social workers and a pediatrician, had voiced serious concerns about Zaydian’s safety if he were sent back to his biological father, Blake Dopirak. “When so many experts warn that a child will be in danger, it’s vital that those warnings are taken seriously,” she stated. The couple was taken aback when the court decided to pursue a trial reunification.
After being reunified with his father, Zaydian sustained a head injury that led to his tragic passing. Subsequent to the incident, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Blake Dopirak for his role in the boy’s death. The family court commissioner presiding over Zaydian’s case retired shortly after the tragedy, bringing a glimmer of hope that no other family would endure similar anguish.
Sentencing Brings Faint Hope for Justice
In a recent court ruling, Blake Dopirak was sentenced to 24 years in prison after entering a plea deal related to the charges of endangering a child’s welfare, which culminated in Zaydian’s death. “Justice has been served. We find some relief for this family as they begin their healing journey,” commented St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith.
Dawn reflected on the closure this verdict provided, expressing, “While Zaydian can never be brought back, today my family found justice for him. Knowing he will face consequences offers me some peace.” Following the sentencing, Blake Dopirak was led away in handcuffs to begin his lengthy imprisonment, with neither he nor his legal representative offering comments after the hearing.
This tragic case has highlighted serious concerns regarding child welfare and the judicial system’s responsiveness to foster families’ urgent warnings. As the community mourns, the hope remains that better protections will be put in place for vulnerable children in the future.