Mother pleads guilty in child death case

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington mother arrested and charged with the co-sleeping death of her child has made a plea in connection with the case.

Mackenzie Reed pled guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter last Thursday in New Hanover County Superior Court.

According to a Wilmington Police Department investigation, Reed (who was 25-years-old at the time) had smoked marijuana and ingested THC gummies prior to co-sleeping with her two-month-old son in October of 2023. Officers responded to her home in the 800 block of Castle Street for an unconscious infant who was not breathing. First responders were not able to revive the child.

According to the Medical Examiner, Reed’s infant son died as a result of asphyxia due to an unsafe sleeping environment.

The WPD investigation showed Reed had been counseled by hospital staff and the Department of Social Services on the dangers of co-sleeping.

In 2022, Reed had another child who police say died in the same way.

Reed was sentenced to between 1-2 years behind bars and placed her on supervised probation for four years.