Ohio father sentenced to life for murder of 13-week-old son

CLEVELAND, OH — A 20-year-old Ohio father, Traveon Hughes Sr., was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years, following his conviction for the asphyxiation murder of his 13-week-old son. The conviction came just two days after a jury found him guilty.

The tragic incident took place at the family's home in Westlake, Cuyahoga County. On June 25, 2022, authorities responded to a call and discovered the infant, Traveon Hughes Jr., born prematurely, with a baby wipe lodged in his throat.

During the trial, prosecutors from Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley's office argued that the act was intentional, emphasizing that the victim was too young to have ingested the wipe on her own. Conversely, defense attorney W. Scott Ramsey argued that Hughes did not act recklessly or intentionally and proclaimed his client's innocence, signaling his intention to appeal.

According to the prosecution's summary, on the day of the incident, Hughes was home alone with his son. He allegedly placed a baby wipe on the child's chest in place of a bib and briefly left the room. When he returned, he found the baby choking and immediately called the police.

This case has received a lot of attention due to the young ages of the victim and the accused, as well as the devastating circumstances surrounding the death. The community and local authorities continue to grapple with the implications of this tragic event.