BEDFORD HILLS, NY (March 6, 2026) — Manuela Morgado, who pleaded guilty to the 2012 murder of her 4-year-old son in Mamaroneck, died March 4, 2026 while incarcerated at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women, according to information posted by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
Morgado, whose date of birth was listed as Jan. 1, 1966, was 60 years old at the time of her death. The death occurred while she was in custody at the Bedford Hills facility.
The official cause of death is determined and released by the county medical examiner’s office pursuant to County Law §§671 and 674. County Law §677 provides that coroners and medical examiners determine whether the results will be released and to whom. Any death that appears to be from other than natural causes or a known medical condition is investigated by the New York State Police and DOCCS’ Office of Special Investigations, and all deaths in DOCCS facilities are reviewed by the State Commission of Correction.
Morgado was serving a sentence of 20 years to life in state prison after pleading guilty in 2014 to second-degree murder in the death of her son, Jason “Jake” Reish.
On Oct. 1, 2012, police in Mamaroneck discovered the body of the 4-year-old boy in the condominium of his mother, Manuela Maria Morgado. Authorities said the child died of suffocation and investigators believed he had been smothered with a pillow.
Reports indicated Morgado had given the child Benadryl before the killing. She was found alive but had attempted suicide by overdosing on medication.
The killing occurred during a custody dispute with the boy’s father, Dr. Timothy Reish. Morgado was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
Morgado remained jailed in Westchester County as the case proceeded through the courts. Her defense raised mental health issues, saying she was severely depressed at the time of the crime.
In 2014, Morgado pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Westchester County Court, avoiding a trial.
On Dec. 5, 2014, a judge sentenced Morgado to 20 years to life in New York state prison. During sentencing, the child’s father and family members delivered victim impact statements. Prosecutors said Morgado had “methodically planned and carried out the murder.”
She served her sentence at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women until her death on March 4.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.