Man whose son drank drug-tainted water and died gets 11-16 1/2 years in prison

ELYRIA — The father of an 11-year-old boy who fatally overdosed after accidentally drinking drug-tainted water last year was sentenced Monday to 11-to-16 1/2 years in prison for causing his son's death. Lorain County Common Pleas Judge Melissa Kobasher sentenced Christopher Reed, 37, of LaGrange Township, to prison for the death of his son, 11-year-old Liam Reed. She gave him credit for six days already served. Lorain County Sheriff's deputies then walked Christopher Reed out of the courtroom to begin serving his sentence. State law says he is expected to serve at least the minimum 11 years of the indefinite sentence, though he could serve up to the maximum depending on his behavior behind bars. Christopher Reed abused powerful painkillers and washed his used hypodermic needles in a bottle of water. Liam Reed drank that bottle of water, ingesting fentanyl and morphine residue when he did, and died March 30, 2024. The Lorain County Coroner's Office ruled Liam Reed's death a homicide by acute fentanyl and morphine intoxication. Kobasher called Liam Reed's death "very, very tragic," and "the consequences of a very stupid mistake" by the adults in his life. "Liam deserved a lot better" Kobasher said, before pronouncing sentence. Christopher Reed pleaded guilty in August to involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony, and endangering children, a third-degree felony. He apologized Monday in court for harming others with his poor judgment. "I accept what I've done," he told Kobasher, sniffling and crying. "I'm not running from what I've done. I'm here to take responsibility...I'll never be the same." An intravenous drug user, Christopher Reed said he's been sober for 18 months and seeking treatment. Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Block said by using drugs, and not cleaning up after himself, Christopher Reed made his son's death possible. "This matter is significant, the sentence should be significant," Block told Kobasher. Liam Reed's biological mother, Jennifer Heston, asked Kobasher to give Christopher Reed the maximum possible sentence. Liam "deserved better from all of us, all around," she said. Christopher Reed, she said, hasn't taken accountability for any of his actions, Heston said. Defense attorney Matthew Bobrowski said it is always tragic when a child dies, but even more so because it was Christopher Reed's own "acts and omissions" that caused Liam Reed's death. He said Christopher Reed will bear the responsibility of that for the rest of his life. "His addiction ultimately more than just destroying his life, lost his son his life," Bobrowski said. Bobrowski told the judge that since his son's death, Christopher Reed has been sober, gotten a new job and is in a new relationship. Christopher Reed's former girlfriend Erin Gallagher, 34, fell asleep on the couch watching cartoons with Liam Reed and woke up to find him dead. She pleaded guilty in August to involuntary manslaughter, a third-degree felony, and endangering children, a first-degree misdemeanor. Kobasher sentenced her Sept. 29 to three years in prison, the maximum possible sentence on those charges. Prosecutor's said they made Gallagher a deal because she was the one who explained how Liam Reed likely ingested the painkillers that killed him. Liam Reed had a genetic disorder called Dravet syndrome that can cause seizures, sleeplessness and developmental issues. That could have caused him to wander at night and possibly affected his judgment, according to the coroner's office. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com