Couple Charged in August Death of Child

New Castle - The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has charged a 26 year old woman and her 35 year old boyfriend in connection with the death of her 4 year old daughter, which occurred in a New Castle motel in early August of 2014.

The incident occurred on August 8, 2014 at approximately 2:24 a.m. when the Delaware State Police Regional Communications Center (RECOM) received a call from the Budget Motor Lodge located at 140 S. DuPont Highway, New Castle, reporting an emergency requesting assistance for 4 year old Autumn Milligan, who was found unresponsive on the floor of a motel room shared by her mother, identified as Tanasia C. Milligan-26 of New Castle, Delaware and the mother’s boyfriend, identified as Willie Reeder-35 of Wilmington, Delaware.

Autumn Milligan was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers along with the Division of Forensic Science launched a death investigation into the cause and manner of death, and the circumstances surrounding the death of the child.

An autopsy was conducted by the Delaware Division of Forensic Science and it was determined that Autumn Milligan suffered multiple injuries including abdominal bruising that had been inflicted days prior to the death. The cause of death was ruled homicide by blunt force trauma.

After a thorough and comprehensive investigation by the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit, Delaware Division of Forensic Science, along with review by the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, Troopers obtained warrants on October 10, 2014 for Tanasia C. Milligan and Willie Reeder in connection with the death of Autumn Milligan.

On Thursday, October 16, 2014 Troopers were able to locate the couple while they were traveling in a vehicle in New Castle, Delaware. They were taken into custody without incident. They were transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2 in Newark where they were formally charged with Murder by Abuse or Neglect 1st Degree Recklessly Causing the Death of a Child and Conspiracy 1stDegree.

Tanasia C. Milligan was arraigned and committed to the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $106,000 Cash Bond.

Willie Reeder was arraigned and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $106,000 Cash Bond.