CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that Traveon Hughes, 20, was found guilty by a jury of murder for killing his 13-week-old baby, Traveon Hughes Jr., by shoving a baby wipe down his throat.

“The State of Ohio believes that baby Traveon Hughes’s death was an intentional homicide. A jury composed of citizens from our county agreed.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On June 25, 2022, Traveon Hughes was watching his 13-week-old son (born 12 weeks prematurely) alone in their residence near West 81st Street and Madison Avenue in Cleveland. Hughes stated he placed a baby wipe on the 13-week-old’s chest in place of a bib. He then went into another room leaving the baby unattended for a short period of time. Upon returning to the 13-week-old, he noticed the baby was choking and called the police.

Cleveland EMS responded to the scene. Upon their arrival, they were not notified that the 13-week-old male had an obstruction in his throat. While attempting to perform life-saving measures, they located the baby wipe in his throat. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) arrived at the hospital. Traveon Hughes was arrested on June 29, 2022.

After further investigation by the CDP and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, it was determined the baby was too young to have placed the wipe down his own throat and it had to be intentionally placed there. The matter was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation.

On May 29, 2024, Traveon Hughes was found guilty by a jury on the following charges:

  • One count of Murder
  • One count of Involuntary Manslaughter
  • Two counts of Child Endangering

He will be sentenced at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.