Zachary Holly was born on October 8, 1984. He grew up in Arkansas and was often described as a person who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Zachary married a woman named Amanda Holly, and together they became involved in their community.

Zachary and Amanda worked as babysitters. They frequently looked after children in their neighborhood, which included a girl named Jersey Bridgeman. Jersey was born on November 14, 2006, in Bentonville, Arkansas. Her family went through difficulties when her parents divorced, and she faced challenges in her early life.

After the divorce, Jersey lived with her father and stepmother. Unfortunately, her father and stepmother used abusive methods to control her behavior. This situation led to public outrage, and they were eventually sentenced to prison for their actions.

Following this, Jersey's mother, DesaRae, got custody of her and her younger sister. At this time, Zachary and Amanda Holly were caring for the girls. They helped DesaRae by babysitting and ensuring the children were safe.

On November 20, 2012, a six-year-old girl named Jersey Dianne Bridgeman was reported missing from her home in Bentonville, Arkansas. She had recently been placed in her mother DesaRae's custody after a difficult situation with her previous caregivers. On the night of November 19, Jersey was staying with her mother and was watched over by neighbors, Zachary Holly and his wife Amanda. After putting the children to bed, the Hollys left.

The following morning, Jersey's mother discovered that she was missing. DesaRae quickly called the Hollys for assistance. Although they helped search for Jersey, she was later found dead in a vacant house nearby. The discovery shocked the community. Jersey's body was naked, and investigators determined that she had been raped and suffocated.

Zachary Holly was soon questioned by police. He cooperated with law enforcement and provided a DNA sample. However, forensic evidence later linked him to the crime, leading to his arrest. Prosecutors charged Holly with multiple offenses, including kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder. He pleaded not guilty.

The trial began, and the evidence against Holly was deemed strong. On May 20, 2015, a jury found him guilty of all charges. He received a sentence that included the death penalty along with additional life sentences. Despite his conviction, Holly maintained his innocence, claiming that he had not received adequate legal representation. In 2019, he filed a petition seeking to have his conviction overturned.

The case gained widespread media attention, raising discussions about child protection and the circumstances that had influenced Jersey's life and tragic end. Jersey was remembered as a cheerful girl, despite the hardships she faced in her short life.