A New York woman who was serving time for killing her young son during a bitter custody battle has died behind bars, officials confirmed.
Manuela Morgado was found dead in her cell at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility early on March 4, according to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Prison officials said the 52-year-old inmate was discovered around 2 a.m. Her death is currently under investigation.
Morgado had been serving a sentence of 20 years to life after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in 2014 for the death of her 4-year-old son, Jason “Jake” Reish.
Authorities said the tragic crime took place in October 2012 while Morgado was in the middle of a custody dispute with her former fiancé. Prosecutors said she first gave the boy Benadryl before smothering him with a pillow.
Afterward, Morgado attempted to take her own life by overdosing on Xanax and leaving behind a note, according to reports at the time.
When questioned by police, Morgado reportedly claimed she wanted her son’s death to be “quick and peaceful” so they could be together forever.
The case shocked the community and drew national attention because of the chilling details surrounding the killing.
At Morgado’s sentencing, then–Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore condemned the crime, saying the young child’s life had been taken by the very person who was supposed to protect him.
“This defendant methodically planned and carried out the murder of her four-year-old child,” DiFiore said at the time. “A child whose life was taken well before his time by the very person whose job it was to protect him.”
Records from the state corrections department confirm Morgado died while still serving her sentence. Officials have not yet released additional details about the cause of her death.