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Morgado Pleads Not Guilty To Murder Of Her 4-Year-Old Son

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Manuela Morgado of Mamaroneck pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning in White Plains County Court to second-degree murder in the death of her 4-year-old son, Jason “Jake” Reish .

Manuela Morgado of Mamaroneck pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in White Plains County Court Tuesday.

Manuela Morgado of Mamaroneck pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in White Plains County Court Tuesday.

Photo Credit: Village of Mamaroneck Police Department

Jake’s father, Dr. Tim Reish, who sat in the courtroom with his wife, said after the arraignment that he will continue to show up until there is justice for his son.

“I don’t want his memory to be forgotten,” he said. “As painful as this process is for my whole family, we’ll be here for the whole process.”

Morgado had been in a custody dispute with Jake's father, who lives in Briarcliff Manor. She told police responding to her home at 1030 E. Post Road Oct. 1 that she killed her son because she didn't want anyone to take him from her, Det. Bernard McNally of the Village of Mamaroneck Police Department testified at an Oct. 17 felony hearing

The prosecution re-ordered temporary orders of protection Tuesday to Morgado on behalf of Tim Reish for his wife, Erin, and two children. When Judge Barry Warhit explained to Morgado she could not contact them by any means, she looked up at him and said, “I don’t want to contact them.”

Warhit replied, “I’m glad you don’t want to contact them.”

Morgado is scheduled to appear before Judge James Hubert for a conference on Jan. 10. Following Tuesday morning's hearing, Morgado, who faces 25 years in prison if convicted, was remanded to the Westchester County Jail. 

“The level of pain family, friends, teachers feel is totally umeasurable,” said Reish, wiping tears from his eye after the court appearance. “No loving parent should ever have to endure this. The grieving process is never going to end.”

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