Father sentenced after his 2 1/2-year-old Fall River born son dies from overdose

BROCKTON – An Onset man pleaded guilty to charges in the death of his son after methadone was detected in the toddler’s system, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz has announced.

Today, in Brockton Superior Court, 34-year-old Donald Humes pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter, and two counts of Reckless Endangerment of a Child. Judge Daniel O’Shea sentenced him to 2 ½ years in the House of Correction with one year to serve, and the balance suspended for two years. The sentence is to be followed by two years of probation from and after, and Humes must remain drug and alcohol free with screenings. The Commonwealth recommended that Humes serve 6-8 years in state prison.

The charges follow a lengthy and in-depth investigation into the 2022 death of 2 1⁄2 year old Cameron Humes. On April 24, 2022, at approximately 4:34 p.m., Wareham Police received a 911 call from Donald Humes, stating that his son, Cameron Humes, was unresponsive and not breathing. Wareham Police and emergency medical personnel responded to the home on Waban Avenue and located Cameron Humes unresponsive, and began performing life-saving procedures. The toddler was transported to Tobey Hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Wareham Police contacted the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and began the investigation. The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner accepted jurisdiction of the case and determined that the manner of Cameron Humes’s death was acute methadone intoxication. 

Cameron was born in Fall River on October 13, 2019. According to an obituary, “Cameron was known to be extremely affectionate; whether it be the tightest hugs, butterfly kisses, or snuggling, it would turn your darkest day to light. Cameron would give everyone high fives, even the kind strangers he didn’t know. He loved nothing more than playing with his brother, sister, his toys, coloring, and singing “The Wheels on the Bus.”

Assistant District Attorney Kevin O’Leary prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Massachusetts State Police and Wareham Police.