Mother Convicted of Suffocating Her 4-Year-Old with a Pillow Found Dead in Prison

A New York woman convicted of killing her four-year-old during a 2012 custody battle was found dead in prison.

Manuel Morgado, 60, was discovered dead at around 2:00am 4 March, in her cell at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in New York. The death is listed on the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision website.

Morgado received 20 years to life in prison in 2014, after pleading guilty to the second-degree murder of her son, Jason Reish, in October 2012. Morgado smothered the boy with a pillow after giving him Benadryl, per Journal News. She then attempted to overdose on Xanax after leaving a suicide note.

Convict Murdered Son During Custody Battle

Morgado later told police that she wanted her son's death to be 'quick and peaceful so we could be happy together forever.' At the time, Morgado and her ex-fiancé, Timothy Reish, were fighting for custody over Jason.

Police testified that Morgado initially intended to drug the child before suffocating him with helium, but the boy struggled. Morgado bound the victim as he turned blue and gasped, his hands and feet taped. Morgado then forced Jason's face into a pillow.

Police responded to a 911 call from Morgado's Mamaroneck residence, where she was found unconscious from a drug overdose. Assistant District Attorney Christine Hatfield said the crime was 'nothing short of intentional murder.' 'It was not out of love, not a mercy killing. [It was] premeditated, meticulously planned out,' she added.

Acting state Supreme Court Justice Richard Molea said he was well aware of the case after months of convening with lawyers and prosecutors. 'I could find no insight as to how a human being, let alone a mother like you, could literally extinguish the life of a small helpless child,' he told Morgado during sentencing.

Father Remembers Victim as a 'Sweet, Innocent' Boy

Timothy Reish remembered Jason as a 'vibrant, sweet, innocent' boy' who planned to catch frogs with a friend before he was murdered.

'I would not trade the four years I had with my son for anything in the world,' Reish told Morgado. 'The pain you have caused is immeasurable and without end ... the only thing today does is subtract a monster from society.'

Before he met Morgado, Timothy Reish had two sons with his ex-wife, Erin. Reish and Morgado were engaged after having Jason, but that unravelled. Reish later remarried Erin.

During the trial, Erin Reish said that her two sons now know that 'true evil exists in the world,' because of Morgado. 'They had never been to a funeral before carrying the casket of their baby brother,' she added.

Convict Insists She Regretted the Murder

In a letter read by her lawyer, Morgado insisted that she has since 'lived in a constant state of remorse.' She also confirmed several attempts at suicide after the murder.

'I miss my son every minute of every day. ... I am riddled with shame and regret for making this decision,' she wrote.

Morgado's death is under investigation, according to Journal News.