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Woman pleads guilty in death of her 2-month-old son in Wilmington, North Carolina

A Wilmington woman pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of her 2-month-old child.

According to a news release from the New Hanover County District Attorney's Office, Mackenzie Reed, 25, was sentenced last Thursday by New Hanover County Superior Court Judge Ricardo Jensen to approximately 1.5 to 2.5 years in prison followed by four years of probation.

In October 2023, a Wilmington Police Department investigation revealed that Reed had smoked marijuana and taken THC gummies before co-sleeping with her 2-month-old son, the release said. Reed was educated by hospital staff and the Department of Social Services about the dangers of co-sleeping. According to the coroner's office, Reed's son died of asphyxiation due to an unsafe sleeping environment.

Previous coverage: Wilmington woman charged in connection with her baby's death after sleeping with the infant

Previous coverage: Autopsy reveals details about Wilmington toddler who suffocated after sleeping with his mother

According to a previous press release from Wilmington Police, on October 3, 2023, Wilmington Police officers arrived at the 800 block of Castle Street for an unconscious toddler who was not breathing. The first responders were unable to revive the child.

Reed was arrested in March 2024 following an investigation and initially faced additional charges of intentional child abuse resulting in serious bodily harm and negligent child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury.

The report from the NC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner mentioned the previous unsafe sleep death of Reed's 3-month-old boy in 2022 and read: “The mother … stated she could not believe she had done this for a second.” '”

Chief Donny Williams of the Wilmington Police Department emphasized the dangers of co-sleeping after the verdict was announced.

“Co-sleeping is extremely dangerous and I would urge parents not to share the bed with your young child or toddler. “The risk of sudden and unexpected infant death is real when an adult chooses to sleep next to their baby,” Williams said in the press release.

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