WTOC Exclusive: Family opens up following heartbreaking loss and daughter’s guilty plea

VIDALIA, Ga. (WTOC) — 29-year-old Taylor Hughes just reached a plea deal on Thursday in the death of her 4-year-old child, Reese Hughes.

The Hughes Family sat down with WTOC to talk for the first time about how the family is coping with the loss of both their grandchild and their child.

When you talk about heartbreak, the Hughes family may be number one on the list.

In March, they received a call that their 4-year-old granddaughter Reese Carter Hughes had passed away— just 12 days after her grandfather Steve Hughes had last seen her.

But the heartbreak continued, shortly after, their daughter Taylor Hughes and her boyfriend Seth Brown were both arrested and charged in Reese’s death.

The two originally faced charges of felony murder, malice murder, cruelty to children in the 1st degree (felony), and aggravated battery.

This past Thursday, July 17, Taylor Hughes reached a plea deal. Hughes’ pled guilty to one count of felony murder and two counts of cruelty to children in the first degree.

A sense of justice was carried out for Reese but it doesn’t ease the heartbreak the family is faced with.

“It’s hard because you lose a child, and a grandchild,” said Taylor’s mother Michele Erikson.

The family says that accountability can still be painful.

“I’ll say this statement because it was said to me… but Taylor got the punishment she deserved," said Taylor’s Father, Steve Hughes. “She failed to protect her child, and that is the mothers number one job is to protect the child, you’re a momma bear.”

As the family grapples with their harsh reality, it’s that radiant smile in pictures of Reese that keep them going.

“She was so sassy, she was the littlest one, but she was the boss,” Erikson said as she smiled and laughed. “And we listened to her.”

At only 4-years-old, Reese was a star, who loved the color pink, sparkles, and could demand attention. Her family says her laugh was contagious and she gave the best hugs.

An indescribable loss for her family, but they are determined to keep her memory alive.

“We have such an amazing community who has wrapped us in their arms in this time.” said Hughes.

The family have been collecting teddy bears to pass out to children who may be in unstable, unsafe or even abusive homes. They also hope to take Reese’s story and take it one step further by pushing for law reform when it comes to grandparents rights in possibly abusive situations.

If you would like to find a way to help, or donate to Reese’s cause you can email Rememberingreese314@gmail.com