Massachusetts couple charged after their deceased baby had fentanyl and cocaine in blood

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced Monday that a Boston couple has been indicted on manslaughter charges in connection with the death of their 5-week-old daughter earlier this year.

Raynell L. Reed, 31, and Gerard L. Winn, 52, both of Dorchester, were indicted Friday by a Suffolk County grand jury on one count each of manslaughter. They were arraigned Monday in Suffolk Superior Court, where they pleaded not guilty and were ordered held on $100,000 cash bail. Both are scheduled to return to court on December 18.

Reed gave birth to the infant girl at their home on Cheney Street in Dorchester on December 5, 2024, approximately two months prematurely. Winn is the child’s father. Despite the newborn’s prematurity and visible signs of distress—including failure to gain or maintain weight, resulting in severe malnourishment—Reed and Winn never sought medical care for the infant as her condition deteriorated over the five weeks of her life, prosecutors said.

On January 9th around 10:00 a.m., Reed called 911 reporting that the baby was not breathing. Boston Police and EMS responded, transporting the infant to Boston Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as acute intoxication due to fentanyl and cocaine in a premature infant with malnourishment and sepsis. Toxicology confirmed the presence of both substances in the infant’s blood. Prosecutors further allege that Reed and Winn used illegal substances in the infant’s presence, exposing her to these drugs.

“It’s difficult to conceive of something more tragic than a child being born and then ignored to the extent it leads to death by malnourishment and sheer neglect,” Hayden said in a statement.

Reed and Winn discovered Reed’s pregnancy in September 2024. At the time of the birth, they were living in Dorchester with one other tenant on their floor.

The investigation was led by Boston Police and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, with prosecution handled by Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Beth Kusmin.

“Today’s indictments reflect our commitment to holding accountable those whose neglect and actions lead to such profound loss,” Hayden added. “Our thoughts remain with the infant’s family and loved ones as they seek justice.”