Source: www.freep.com
November 26, 2007 Author: BY AMBER HUNT and BEN SCHMITT
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS
Two years ago, 1-year-old Deante Reid died in his parents' care -- and, to avoid funeral costs, his parents tried to cremate him in a barbecue grill.
But the bones wouldn't burn completely, so police said the couple hid what was left of the baby in the ceiling of a home on Dickerson in Detroit.
The bizarre discovery turned up Friday as Detroit police investigated injuries to another 1-year-old boy, who turned out to be Deante's brother, police said.
The boys' parents -- Nickella Reid, 24, and Joseph Miller, 27 -- were arraigned Saturday in 36th District Court in Detroit on charges of first- and second-degree child abuse.
Police and prosecutors are weighing whether to add more charges in connection with the cremated baby.
Details of the 2-year-old death came to light Sunday as detectives continued to investigate the case.
The living 1-year-old suffered burns over one-third of his body. He is in fair condition, police said.
"The allegation is he was severely abused," said Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller, who is not related to Joseph Miller.
Police said Reid told investigators that Miller, her boyfriend, scalded their son in the kitchen in their home on Lillibridge in Detroit, causing the burns.
Reid then told police of her previous son's death and directed them to Miller's sister's home on Lappin, but the sister directed them to a third house on Dickerson, where Deante's remains had been sealed in the ceiling.
The parents' explanations differ as to how Deante died, police said. An anthropologist will try to determine the cause of death based on the fragmented bones.
Reid is being held at the Wayne County Jail on a $400,000 bond. Miller's bond on the child-abuse charges is $700,000, but no bond was set on unrelated drug charges, so he won't be freed from jail.
The couple face a Dec. 4 court hearing. Miller is to appear today in Wayne County Circuit Court on the drug charges.
