NJ 'meth mom' found guilty of murdering 17-month-old son, Axel

CAMDEN — A 44-year-old mother has been found guilty of murdering her young son four years ago.

Heather Reynolds, who had meth on her at the time of the toddler's death, was convicted by a jury of the murder of 17-month-old Axel Jayce, Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay announced.

The boy has been identified by name by family and friends in the time since his death.

On Thursday, following a nine-day trial, a Camden County jury returned the guilty verdict against Reynolds for murder, possession of methamphetamine and endangering the welfare of a child.

Gloucester Township police responded on May 10, 2018 to a report of an unresponsive child on a lawn near his home in the Sicklerville section of town.

A medical examiner found the child was suffocated and had isopropyl alcohol and acetone in his bloodstream.

Prosecutors previously said Reynolds killed her baby because he was interfering with a romantic relationship.

Reynolds is slated for sentencing in October.

She was acquitted of a separate charge of conspiracy to commit murder, which was filed during the investigation into her son’s murder.

The same charge had been filed against Jeffrey Callahan, of Clayton, but was dropped as he pleaded guilty to witness tampering, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“A lot of people worked very hard to get justice for this child. I’m grateful for their efforts and appreciate the time and attention that the jury gave this case,” Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Section Chief Peter Gallagher said in a written statement.

Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

What would happen to NJ if we were attacked by nuclear weapons?

We used NUKEMAP by Alex Wellerstein to see what would happen if a nuclear warhead hit New York, Philadelphia, Washington or New Jersey.

The models show what would happen in aerial detonation, meaning the bomb would be set off in the sky, causing considerable damage to structures and people below; or what would happen in a ground detonation, which would have the alarming result of nuclear fallout. The models do not take into account the number of casualties that would result from fallout.

Gallery Credit: Eric Scott

Illegal baby names

LOOK: Baby names that are illegal around the world

Stacker scoured hundreds of baby name databases and news releases to curate a list of baby names that are illegal somewhere in the world, along with explanations for why they’re banned.

Gallery Credit: Annalise Mantz

50 biggest retailers in America

LOOK: These Are the 50 biggest retailers in America

Stacker compiled a list of the 50 biggest retailers in the country, using retail sales data from Kantar, provided by the National Retail Federation.

Gallery Credit: Madison Troyer & Zack Abrams

Breathtaking images from space

LOOK: 31 breathtaking images from NASA's public library

In 2017, NASA opened the digital doors to its image and video library website, allowing the public to access more than 140,000 images, videos, and audio files. The collection provides unprecedented views of space. Stacker reviewed the collection to select 31 of the most breathtaking images, including the first from the James Webb Space Telescope. Keep reading to see these stunning images, curated with further information about the captured scenes.

Gallery Credit: Deborah Brosseau

What are the odds these 50 random events will happen to you?

LOOK: What are the odds that these 50 totally random events will happen to you?

Stacker took the guesswork out of 50 random events to determine just how likely they are to actually happen. They sourced their information from government statistics, scientific articles, and other primary documents. Keep reading to find out why expectant parents shouldn't count on due dates -- and why you should be more worried about dying on your birthday than living to 100 years old.

Gallery Credit: Isabel Sepulveda

Cape May: Wonderful places to visit

Cape May, NJ: 15 wonderful places to visit

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt

Beautiful sunflower fields to visit in NJ 2022

Among reasons why the “Garden State” remains a fitting nickname for New Jersey — late summer means the arrival of sunflower season.

There are at least six fields, spanning the state. Some are in bloom as of early August, while others are planned to peak from late August to late September.

Calling or emailing before heading out is always advisable if weather appears to be an issue.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt

[Places to visit in Seaside Heights and Seaside Park

15 sensational places to visit in Seaside Heights and Seaside Park

From amusement rides to all the boardwalk food and lots of water fun, Seaside Heights and neighboring Seaside Park have endured as a family friendly spot for all ages.

Along the way, the Seaside Heights Boardwalk and Casino Pier have been struck with tragic disasters - such as fire, Superstorm Sandy and another fire. Both have proven their resiliency through rebuilding and expansion.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt

UP NEXT: See how much gasoline cost the year you started driving

Here's where NJ legal weed is sold

UPDATE 2024: All NJ stores that sell legal cannabis

The number of recreational cannabis dispensaries continues to grow, closer to 200, since the first NJ adult use marijuana sales in April 2022.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt

Must-drive roads in every state

See the Must-Drive Roads in Every State

Gallery Credit: Sarah Jones

Netflix’s Most Popular TV Shows Ever

Netflix’s Most Popular English-Language TV Shows Ever

These are the most popular TV shows ever on Netflix (in English), based on hours viewed in their first 28 days on streaming.

Unbelievably Expensive Divorces

These are the best hiking spots in New Jersey

A trip to New Jersey doesn't have to be all about the beach. Our state has some incredible trails, waterfalls, and lakes to enjoy.

From the Pine Barrens to the Appalachian Trail to the hidden gems of New Jersey, you have plenty of options for a great hike. Hiking is such a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature, plus it's a great workout.

Before you go out on the trails and explore some of our listeners' suggestions, I have some tips on hiking etiquette from the American Hiking Society.

If you are going downhill and run into an uphill hiker, step to the side and give the uphill hiker space. A hiker going uphill has the right of way unless they stop to catch their breath.

Always stay on the trail, you may see side paths, unless they are marked as an official trail, steer clear of them. By going off-trail you may cause damage to the ecosystems around the trail, the plants, and wildlife that live there.

You also do not want to disturb the wildlife you encounter, just keep your distance from the wildlife and continue hiking.

Bicyclists should yield to hikers and horses. Hikers should also yield to horses, but I’m not sure how many horses you will encounter on the trails in New Jersey.

If you are thinking of bringing your dog on your hike, they should be leashed, and make sure to clean up all pet waste.

Lastly, be mindful of the weather, if the trail is too muddy, it's probably best to save your hike for another day.

I asked our listeners for their suggestions of the best hiking spots in New Jersey, check out their suggestions:

Gallery Credit: Jordan Jansson

New Jersey's license plates through the years

New Jersey's license plate designs through the years

Gallery Credit: Joe Votruba

Every NJ pizzeria Barstool's Dave Portnoy has reviewed

Here's a taste of the NJ pizza joints Dave Portnoy has reviewed

Dave Portnoy, commonly known as El Presidente, is the founder of Barstool Sports. Somewhere along the way, he decided to start reviewing local pizzerias, and the concept took off. This isn't the entire list, but it's a small sample to get you started.

Gallery Credit: Joe Votruba

New Jersey's new legislative districts for the 2020s

Boundaries for the 40 legislative districts for the Senate and Assembly elections of 2023 through 2029, and perhaps 2031, were approved in a bipartisan vote of the Apportionment Commission on Feb. 18, 2022. The map continues to favor Democrats, though Republicans say it gives them a chance to win the majority.

Gallery Credit: Michael Symons

NJ Diners that are open 24/7

New Jersey Diners that are open 24/7

Hours as of September 2024

Gallery Credit: Jordan Jansson, Mike Brant

2021 NJ property taxes: See how your town compares

Find your municipality in this alphabetical list to see how its average property tax bill for 2021 compares to others. You can also see how much the average bill changed from 2020. For an interactive map version, click here. And for the full analysis by New Jersey 101.5, read this story.

Gallery Credit: Michael Symons/Sergio Bichao

Update: NJ arrests in Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot

NJ arrests, sentences linked to Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot

More than 40 people from New Jersey or with NJ ties were charged with involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. On Jan. 20, 2025, Pres. Donald Trump issued a pardon, clearing legal consequences for convicted rioters, including those guilty of assaulting law enforcement officers.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt/Dan Alexander

New Jersey’s smallest towns by population

New Jersey's smallest towns by population

New Jersey's least populated municipalities, according to the 2020 Census. This list excludes Pine Valley, which would have been the third-smallest with 21 residents but voted to merge into Pine Hill at the start of 2022.

Gallery Credit: Michael Symons

Nasty NJ town nicknames