Couple charged in death of 4-year-old girl

A Delaware woman and her boyfriend have been charged in the August death of the woman's 4-year-old daughter.

Delaware State Police said today that 26-year-old Tanasia Milligan, of New Castle, and her boyfriend, 35-year-old Willie Reeder, of Wilmington, are facing charges that include murder by abuse or neglect and recklessly causing the death of a child.

Police began investigating the death of Milligan's daughter, Autumn Milligan, after officers were called to a Budget Motor Lodge in New Castle on Aug. 8, when Autumn was found unresponsive on the floor of a motel room.

The girl's mother and Reeder were also staying in the room at the time, police said.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene, and her death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma.

An autopsy revealed that she had suffered multiple injuries, including abdominal bruising, in the days prior to her death, police said.

Officials said Milligan and Reeder were taken into custody on Thursday. Police didn't disclose a motive for the killing.

Milligan is being held at the Baylor Women's Correctional Institution on $106,000 bond and Reeder was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution, also on $106,000 bond.