Dorchester Couple Killed 5-Week-Old Baby: DA

BOSTON, MA — A Dorchester couple killed their baby girl in January, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said.

Raynell Reed, 31, and Gerard Winn, 52, were charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of their 5-week-old daughter, the district attorney's office said in a media release.

"Prosecutors said Reed gave birth at home to a girl" on Dec. 5, according to the release.

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"At the time, both were residing in Dorchester, along with one other tenant on their floor," the release said.

Reed first learned she was pregnant in September 2024 and was advised that her expected due date was Feb. 7, according to the release.

"During the five weeks of the infant’s life, she failed to gain or maintain weight and was severely malnourished," the release said. "Despite knowing that their baby was born at least two months premature and observing the newborn was unable to gain or maintain weight, Reed and Winn never sought any medical care for the infant as her health continued to significantly deteriorate."

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Reed called 911 the morning of Jan. 9 and reported the baby was not breathing, according to the release.

Boston police and and emergency medical services transported the baby to Boston Medical Center, where she was pronounced deceased, the release said.

"At the time of her death, the infant weighed only 2.5 pounds," according to the release.

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"The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the infant died due to acute intoxication from the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine, in a premature infant with malnourishment and sepsis," the release said. "Toxicology confirmed the presence of both fentanyl and cocaine in the infant’s heart blood and liver blood. Prosecutors further allege that Reed and Winn used illegal substances in the infant’s presence, resulting in her exposure to these substances."

Reed and Winn were arraigned Monday. Both were ordered held on $100,000 bond.

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“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," Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in the release. "The allegation that the parents were using dangerous drugs in the newborn’s presence only adds to the terrible aspects of this crime.

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