4-Year-Old In Briarcliff

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. – More than 200 people paid their respects on a somber Thursday in Briarcliff Manor at the wake for 4-year-old Jason Reish.

Community members came together at Briarcliff Manor’s Waterbury & Kelly Funeral Home to help support the boy’s father, Dr. Tim Reish. The boy’s mother, Manuela Maria Morgado, was charged with second-degree murder in connection with Jason “Jake” Reish’s death. Thursday’s wake occurred just hours after Morgado signed orders of protection preventing her from contacting the Reish family.

Tim Reish said earlier this week that the situation was “incomprehensible and unimaginable.”

“We will never be able to comprehend the heinous actions of Jake's mother,” Reish said in a statement Wednesday. “We leave this matter in the capable hands of the authorities to secure justice for Jake and our family.”

Village of Briarcliff Manor police cars were outside of the funeral home Thursday. Officers said they were monitoring the possible heavy traffic in the area during the storm.

Police said they found Morgado “semi-conscious” Monday afternoon in her Mamaroneck home after a family member called 911 asking that someone check on her. Published reports say the boy may have been asphyxiated by helium and the mother attempted to overdose on pills. Morgado was holding the boy in her arms when authorities found them, reports said.

Prosecutors in Morgado’s case told a judge in Mamaroneck Village Court on Thursday that Morgado had been sending the family threatening letters.

“The order of protection is based on threatening letters that have been sent to the Reish family,” Assistant District Attorney Christine Hatfield said during an appearance in Mamaroneck village court Thursday. “They will also be witnesses.”

The funeral for Jason “Jake” Reish is set for 11 a.m. Friday at Scarborough Presbyterian Church in Briarcliff Manor. 

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