MAMARONECK, NY — In her first court appearance since she was formally charged with second degree murder of her son, Manuela Morgado, 46, appeared in Village of Mamaroneck Court this morning before Judge Christie Derrico with her new Legal Aid Attorney Harvey Loeb.
, was found dead along with his semi conscious mother on Monday, Oct. 1 in Morgado’s Mamaroneck condo on 1035 E. Boston Post Rd. It was believed to be an attempted murder-suicide.
Morgado’s former attorney, White Plains-based Max DiFabio, withdrew as her counsel due to a conflict.
Police unlocked Morgado’s handcuffs briefly so that she could sign consent for two orders of protection against her for Dr. Tim Reish, the boy’s father, and Tim’s former wife, Erin Reish. Both claimed to have received threatening letters from Morgado.
Morgado and Tim had been engaged in a custody battle over where Jason would attend preschool. Tim has two other children with Erin Taylor Reish, whom he married in Ohio in 1996. Tim currently resides in Briarcliff Manor with his two children with Erin.
“There will be no texts, phone calls, social media… no communication with the individuals,” explained Judge Derrico.
During this time, Morgado’s slight frame slumped as she cried softly; DiFabio comforted her as she wept.
Loeb objected to a request for a mental health evaluation by Correct Care Solutions, part of the Westchester County Department of Corrections.
“Clients in her unit are routinely evaluated,” he said, referring to the Westchester County Jail, where Morgado remains without bail.
The case was adjourned until Oct. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
The sobs of several bystanders could be heard as Morgado was led into the police car that would take her to Westchester County Jail.
Outside, DiFabio spoke to reporters about Morgado's state of mind.
"Ms. Morgado is very upset at this time as you can imagine... she grieves for the loss of her child, the loss of her world," he said.
Timothy Reish called the death of his son "incomprehensible and unimaginable" on Wednesday. Morgado's neighbors called the death "devastating."
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