22-year-old Plymouth County son claiming he was baptizing, convicted in death of father, Scott Callahan

BROCKTON – A man has been convicted of a charge of Involuntary Manslaughter in the killing of his father in Duxbury, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz has announced. 

Thursday, after an 8- day trial, a jury deliberated approximately 25 hours before finding Jack Callahan, now 22, guilty of one count of Involuntary Manslaughter. The Commonwealth charged Callahan with one count of Murder. Sentencing is scheduled for next Friday, May 3rd. 

At approximately 2:00 a.m. on June 28, 2021, Duxbury Police received a call to report that Jack Callahan, then 19, was acting erratically and that his father, Scott Callahan, 57, was missing in the area of Island Creek Pond at Crocker Park. Duxbury Police responded to the Sampson Street residence and found Jack Callahan distraught and hyperventilating.

Duxbury Police contacted Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office to begin the investigation.

At trial, the jury heard evidence that Jack Callahan travelled to Boston to meet up and retrieve his father and return to Duxbury. The two took a ride-share vehicle home from Boston, and after midnight on June 28, the ride-share dropped the two men off in the vicinity of Island Creek Pond. There a physical altercation took place between the pair. Jack Callahan allegedly began submerging his father under the water several times claiming he was “baptizing” his father because he saw the “demon” in his eyes. Jack continued to submerge his father’s head until Scott Callahan no longer fought back or floated.

The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found the cause of death was drowning and the manner was homicide. The OCME reported that Scott Callahan had water-logged lungs, and an abrasion on his head. 

Assistant District Attorney Amanda Fowle prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and Duxbury Police.