Heather Reynolds: NJ mother found guilty of killing her one-year-old son after 'boyfriend lost interest'
CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY: A mother of three from Gloucester Township in New Jersey’s Camden County has been convicted of taking the life of her own son. It was found that Heather Reynolds killed her 17-month-old son, Axel, in May 2018 because he was coming in between her and her boyfriend, the prosecutors said.
As per reports, the 44-year-old 'killer mother' was found guilty of murder, methamphetamine possession, and endangering the welfare of a child by a Camden County jury last week. This comes after previous reports claimed that Heather used a cleaning wipe to suffocate the victim. After the infant fell unconscious, she apparently rushed outside her house and began yelling for assistance.
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It has been said that when the law enforcement officials arrived at the scene, they discovered the child’s face was covered in bruises and he was declared dead. Further examination on his body found trace levels of isopropyl alcohol — evidence which eventually helped the police arrest Heather, who was charged almost a year after the crime.
Assistant Prosecutor Peter Gallagher had earlier said as reported by Crime Online, “This was an absolutely brutal murder and a helpless victim.” He added that “a review of the text messages between the defendant and her boyfriend from the previous night reveal that the defendant was becoming frustrated by the boyfriend’s apparent lack of interest. And witnesses also told detectives that the defendant had expressed the sentiment that her toddler son, the victim A.R., was an obstacle to her relationship with her boyfriend.”
Initially in 2019 at her detention hearing, the woman had plead not guilty. At the time, her lawyer Michael Testa had stated: “She adamantly denies that she has anything to do with the death of her child. She’s suffered greatly as a result of this.” When Axel was murdered, reports said that his biological father Joseph C Reynolds was on a trip, related to work. However, a few months later, after Axel's death in May 2018, he also died in November 2018. His obituary read: “Joseph C. Reynolds, 41, of Sicklerville, passed suddenly on Monday, November 5, 2018. Beloved husband of Heather Reynolds (nee Knecht); cherished son of Donna Lee and Robert Reynolds of West Berlin; loving brother of Bobby Reynolds (Charmain Duffy). Dear grandson of Mary Jane Stiles and nephew of Cheryl Schmidt and Kathy and Barbara Reynolds.”
It continued: “Devoted father of Chelsie Bakely, Jocelyn Bakley-Reynolds, Nicholas Watson, the late Axel Jayce Reynolds; and step-sons Dominick and Joshua Wolfenden. Treasured uncle and cousin of many nieces, nephews and cousins.” His memorial service was held on November 15, 2018 at the Giosa Funeral Home 171 Haddon Avenue in New Jersey.
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Meanwhile, following the jury’s recent decision regarding Heather, Gallagher said: “A lot of people worked very hard to get justice for this child. I’m grateful for their efforts and appreciate the time and attention that the jury gave this case.” Heather will reportedly be awarded sentencing in October this year.