BENJAMIN HOWARD REED | Man Found Guilty But Mentally Ill for Fatally Stabbing DCFS Worker/36-Year-Old Mother of Two 43 Times, Bludgeoning Her to Death with a Sledgehammer in His Home as She Checked on Kids | Sentenced To 100 Yrs | ALS

Ben Reed. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Menard, IL. December 30, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.

Overview of Benjamin Howard Reed’s Case

Benjamin Howard Reed, a 35-year-old man from Thayer, Illinois, was involved in a high-profile criminal case following the brutal murder of Deidre (Graham) Silas, a child protection services worker for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The incident occurred on January 4, 2022, when Silas was called to investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect at Reed’s residence. During her visit, Reed attacked Silas, stabbing her 43 times and subsequently bludgeoning her with a sledgehammer.

Saying it ranked as "one of the most brutal and heinous" cases he has seen in his legal career, Sangamon County Presiding Circuit Judge John Madonia found Benjamin Howard Reed "guilty but mentally ill" Thursday in the Jan. 4, 2022, killing of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services child protection services worker Deidre (Graham) Silas of Springfield.

Reed, 35, stabbed Silas, a 36-year-old mother of two children, 43 times in his Thayer, Ill., home and also bludgeoned her to death with a sledgehammer.

Though the report didn't initially involve Reed or his wife's four children and stepchildren, since the environment was a concern, Silas had a responsibility to assess all the children. In all, 12 people, six adults and six children, lived in the two-bedroom home.

Legal Proceedings and Verdict

Reed was charged with multiple offenses including first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and aggravated unlawful restraint. His trial concluded with a verdict of “guilty but mentally ill,” which indicates that while he was found guilty of the crimes committed, he also suffered from mental illness at the time of the offense. This verdict was rendered by Sangamon County Presiding Circuit Judge John Madonia after considering extensive evidence regarding Reed’s mental health history.

During the trial, various mental health professionals testified about Reed’s psychological state. Dr. Terry Killian, a psychiatrist who evaluated Reed multiple times, diagnosed him with several disorders including dissociative disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite these diagnoses indicating significant mental health issues, Judge Madonia determined that Reed had sufficient capacity to appreciate the criminality of his actions during the murder.

Sentencing

On November 15, 2023, Benjamin Howard Reed was sentenced to 100 years in prison without the possibility of parole. This sentence reflects both the severity of his crime and acknowledges his mental illness under Illinois law. The judge emphasized that Reed had neglected any rehabilitative potential he may have had, leading to the tragic loss of Deidre Silas’s life.

Impact on Community and Child Protection Workers

The case has drawn attention not only due to its violent nature but also because it highlights the dangers faced by child protection workers who often operate in high-risk environments while trying to safeguard vulnerable children. State’s Attorney John Milhiser expressed condolences to Silas’s family and recognized the risks taken by DCFS workers across Illinois.

In summary, Benjamin Howard Reed is now serving a lengthy prison sentence for his heinous crime against Deidre Silas while being recognized as mentally ill at the time of the offense.

VIDEO: Complete Coverage of the Trial of Benjamin Reed, Who Was Accused of M*rdering a DCFS Worker | https://youtu.be/GlsTVqg4KCA

Archiving Protocol:

• Handled with White Gloves ab initio

• Photo Pages/Sheet Protectors: Heavyweight Clear Sheet Protectors, Acid Free & Archival Safe, 8.5 × 11, Top Load

• White Backing Board – Acid Free

Shipping/Packaging: Rigid Mailer 9.5 × 12.5. White, self-seal, stay-flat, Kraft cardboard, no bend. Each rigid mailer is made of heavy cardboard, which has strong resistance to bending and tearing. Thicker than the USPS mailers. Shipping cost never more than it absolutely has to be to get it from me to you.