Michael Riley, born around 1973, lived a troubled life shadowed by mental illness and instability. Residing in Massachusetts with his wife Carolyn and their young children, he battled untreated bipolar disorder and what he referred to as “intermittent rage disorder”. He had a history of violent behavior, including an arrest for assault and battery in 1998. Carolyn Riley dealt with recurring migraines, depression, and anxiety, for which she took prescribed medication.

Michael grew up in a household with two older siblings, Gerard and Kaitlynne, and a half-sister, Ashley, who had been given up for adoption by Carolyn. Throughout their lives, Michael and his siblings faced challenges related to their parents' mental health. Both Gerard and Kaitlynne were diagnosed with pediatric bipolar disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at a young age and were under the care of a child psychiatrist.

The family lived in Section 8 housing and survived on Social Security Disability Income, totaling around $2,700 monthly. Their living conditions were frequently unstable, worsened by the parents’ unemployment and legal troubles. Michael Sr. was subjected to supervision while having contact with his children after a serious allegation of sexual assault emerged against him concerning Carolyn's daughter from a previous relationship.

In December 2006, four-year-old Rebecca Jeanne Riley died in Hull, Massachusetts. Her parents, Michael and Carolyn Riley, gave their daughter a lethal dose of clonidine, a medication typically used for ADHD as well as other drugs. Rebecca had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADHD when she was just two years old. The parents had been administering medications heavily, even increasing dosages without consulting her doctor.

The situation leading up to her death involved multiple red flags. Neighbors, social workers, and school staff had expressed concerns about Rebecca's health and the amount of medication she was taking. Her preschool reported that she often seemed lethargic and struggled to stay awake. Despite these warnings, her parents did not seek medical help when her condition worsened in December 2006.

On December 12, Rebecca exhibited severe symptoms of illness, including vomiting and difficulty breathing. People in the household encouraged her parents to take her to the hospital, but they refused. Instead, they continued to administer her medication. On the morning of December 13, 2006, Rebecca was found dead in her parents' bedroom.

Following her death, an autopsy revealed that Rebecca had very high levels of clonidine in her system, far exceeding therapeutic limits. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was a combination of this medication and others, indicating a deliberate overdose. Both Michael and Carolyn Riley were arrested and charged with Rebecca’s murder shortly after.

Michael and Carolyn went to separate trials, facing serious accusations. The prosecution argued that they intentionally overdosed Rebecca as part of a scheme to secure additional disability payments. Evidence showed that they had increased her medication without consulting professionals and ignored the medical advice they had been given. Their cases attracted significant media attention and raised discussions about the treatment of children with mental health issues.

In 2010, Carolyn Riley was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Michael Riley was found guilty of first-degree murder and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.