A Detroit couple accused of trying to cremate their dead 2-year-old son on a barbecue grill, and then hiding the remains while collecting welfare benefits for the child, were both sentenced to prison today.
Nickella Reid, 23, pleaded guilty last month in Wayne County Circuit Court to involuntary manslaughter and welfare fraud in connection with the death of her son, Deuntay Miller. She was sentenced today by Judge Michael Callahan to 10 to 15 years.
Joseph Miller, 28, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder for Deuntay's death. Callahan sentenced him to 22 to 50 years.
The case broke when Reid and her mother took Deuntay's 1-year-old brother, Nicholas Miller, to Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit on Nov. 11, 2007, for second- and third-degree burns. Prosecutors said at the time that 35% of Nicholas' body had been burned, and he is still recovering.
Miller also pleaded guilty to first-degree child abuse for the burns Nicholas sustained.
The toddler, who needs additional surgery, is in foster care, Miller's attorney, Gabi Silver, previously said. There have been no family visits.
Police said Reid told investigators that Miller scalded their son with water in their home on Lillibridge in Detroit.
Reid then told police of Deuntay's death and directed them to Miller's sister's home on Lappin, where the toddler's remains had been sealed in the ceiling. Officers from the Violent Crimes Task Force made the discovery.
Reid and Miller told police that they tried to cremate Deuntay in a barbecue grill to avoid funeral costs.
Prosecutors previously said that Deuntay had been dead for nine months to a year when police found his remains.
Police later learned that Reid had been collecting welfare and food stamps in the names of Deuntay and four other children.
Medical experts said examination of Deuntay's skeletal remains showed healed breaks in both of his legs and signs of malnutrition in the development of his bones.
