CAMDEN — A 44-year-old mother has been found guilty of murdering her young son four years ago.
Heather Reynolds, who had meth on her at the time of the toddler's death, was convicted by a jury of the murder of 17-month-old Axel Jayce, Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay announced.
The boy has been identified by name by family and friends in the time since his death.
On Thursday, following a nine-day trial, a Camden County jury returned the guilty verdict against Reynolds for murder, possession of methamphetamine and endangering the welfare of a child.
Gloucester Township police responded on May 10, 2018 to a report of an unresponsive child on a lawn near his home in the Sicklerville section of town.
A medical examiner found the child was suffocated and had isopropyl alcohol and acetone in his bloodstream.
Prosecutors previously said Reynolds killed her baby because he was interfering with a romantic relationship.
Reynolds is slated for sentencing in October.
She was acquitted of a separate charge of conspiracy to commit murder, which was filed during the investigation into her son’s murder.
The same charge had been filed against Jeffrey Callahan, of Clayton, but was dropped as he pleaded guilty to witness tampering, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“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,” Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Section Chief Peter Gallagher said in a written statement.
Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com
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