Carolyn Riley was a Massachusetts mother of four, living with her husband Michael and their three children—Rebecca, Gerard, and Kaitlynne. An older daughter, Ashley, had been placed in an open adoption years earlier. Carolyn lived on government aid and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, for which she took Paxil. She reportedly had a lethargic demeanor and displayed signs of being overmedicated herself, often speaking in a flat tone and showing little emotion.

Both Carolyn and Michael were unemployed and dependent on disability payments. When two of their children, Gerard and Kaitlynne, were diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADHD by psychiatrist Dr. Kayoko Kifuji, the family began receiving government benefits totaling over $2,300 a month. Carolyn was seen by some as focused on maintaining or increasing these benefits, allegedly pursuing similar diagnoses for Rebecca.

Carolyn frequently ignored or manipulated doctors’ instructions—giving medication intended for one child to another, offering her own Paxil to housemates, and storing children's pills in large shared containers. When Rebecca was just two years old, Carolyn pushed for a diagnosis of ADHD and quickly escalated the girl’s clonidine dosage before receiving medical approval. Kifuji often approved the increased doses after the fact, but Carolyn’s pattern of self-directed medication decisions continued. Eventually, Rebecca was placed on a cocktail of clonidine, Depakote, and antipsychotics—none of which are approved for use in children her age.

Carolyn was described by school faculty and social workers as distant and unresponsive. She rarely attended her children’s school meetings and dismissed educators’ concerns about Rebecca’s constant fatigue, tremors, and inability to walk properly. In the months before her daughter’s death, she continued medicating Rebecca heavily despite signs that the child was dangerously sedated. Witnesses later testified that Carolyn referred to clonidine as “sleep medicine” and rarely showed emotional warmth or concern for Rebecca’s deteriorating health.

Between August 2004 and December 2006, Carolyn and Michael Riley subjected their daughter Rebecca (born April 11, 2002) to heavy and unmonitored doses of prescription psychotropic drugs. Initially prescribed clonidine for ADHD at age 2, Rebecca was also diagnosed with pediatric bipolar disorder and given Depakote and Seroquel by early 2006. By that winter, Rebecca became listless and docile—described by teachers as “lethargic,” “unsteady,” and “like a floppy doll”. Family and pharmacy records show Carolyn refilled clonidine prescriptions early and administered full tablets rather than the prescribed halves—ultimately receiving over 200 extra pills.

In December 2006, Rebecca began presenting cold-like symptoms. From December 8 onward, she developed fever, vomiting, and a worsening cough. Despite caretakers and her uncle urging medical assistance, her parents repeatedly refused, opting instead to continue dosages and administer Tylenol and cough syrup mixed with clonidine. The evening of December 12, witnesses reported Rebecca staggering and labored breathing. At around 1 a.m. on December 13, she was found in respiratory distress, foaming at the mouth. Despite growing alarm from onlookers, parents delayed seeking help. Rebecca was pronounced dead at about 6:36 a.m., with pulmonary edema evident—a classic sign of drug overdose.

The evening of December 12, witnesses reported Rebecca staggering and labored breathing. At around 1 a.m. on December 13, she was found in respiratory distress, foaming at the mouth. Despite growing alarm from onlookers, parents delayed seeking help. Rebecca was pronounced dead at about 6:36 a.m., with pulmonary edema evident—a classic sign of drug overdose.

Autopsy results showed Rebecca’s blood contained clonidine at 12 ng/mL, roughly six times above safe therapeutic levels; Depakote and dextromethorphan were also detected, but Seroquel was not. Investigators noted bruises, missing pills, and pharmacy refill abuse—strong evidence of intentional overdose . As a result, Carolyn and Michael were arrested on February 6, 2007, and eventually tried separately. On February 9, 2010, Carolyn was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with parole possible after 15 years; her husband received first-degree murder conviction and life without parole on March 27, 2010.