Massachusetts father convicted in his toddler’s overdose death

A 34-year-old man has been convicted of manslaughter in connection with his toddler’s overdose death, according to the Plymouth DA’s office.

Onset man Donald Humes pleaded guilty to charges in the death of his son Cameron after methadone was detected in the toddler’s system.

Humes on Tuesday pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter, and two counts of reckless endangerment of a child.

The judge sentenced Humes to 2.5 years in the House of Correction with one year to serve, and the balance suspended for two years. The Plymouth DA’s office wanted Humes to serve 6-8 years in state prison.

Cameron was 2.5 years old when he died in 2022. Wareham Police on April 24 that year received a 911 call from Humes, who said his son was unresponsive and not breathing.

Wareham Police and emergency medical personnel responded to the home on Waban Avenue and found that Cameron was unresponsive. The first responders began performing life-saving procedures.

The toddler was transported to Tobey Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Wareham Police contacted the Mass State Police detective unit assigned to the Plymouth DA’s office, and they launched an investigation. The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the manner of Cameron’s death was acute methadone intoxication.

“The investigation showed Donald Humes was the only adult at home at the time, and was responsible for supervising the children when he knew there was methadone in the house,” the Plymouth DA’s office wrote.

“Additionally, part of the culpability was failing to realize something was wrong with Cameron Humes and that he was in need of medical attention,” the DA’s office added.

The case was investigated by Mass State Police and Wareham Police.

The sentence will be followed by two years probation, and Humes must remain drug and alcohol free with screenings.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Plymouth DA’s office reported that Mass State Police troopers assigned to the DA’s office responded to 59 suspected fatal drug overdoses in 2025. That was a significant decrease from 93 suspected fatal overdoses in 2024.

“I am pleased to see a substantial decrease in suspected fatal overdoses across Plymouth County, but the fact remains there is always more work to do,” Cruz said in a statement. “Our office is steadfast in its mission to hold violent offenders accountable while also helping to reduce all types of fatalities in our community through coordinated efforts with our local partners.”