A Massachusetts couple faced a judge this week after being indicted on manslaughter charges in connection with the death of their 5-week-old daughter.
According to Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden, Raynell L. Reed, 31, and Gerard L. Winn, 52, both of Dorchester, were indicted in November 2025 by a Suffolk County grand jury on one count each of manslaughter. They were arraigned and pleaded not guilty and were ordered held on $100,000 cash bail.
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, 2025, 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.
Court records show that on Thursday, Reed pled guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter and was sentenced to 5-7 years in prison with credit for 322 days already served.
On Monday it was ruled that Winn is competent to stand trial after an evaluation. A trial date is currently scheduled for January 19th, 2027.
