Westland man gets probation in infant's overdose death

A 65-year-old Westland man who was charged in the drug overdose death of  his wife's great-grandson was given two years probation Friday in connection with the infant's death.

Quentin May was given the sentence after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter. As part of his punishment, May will undergo drug treatment evaluation and was ordered to have no "unaccompanied" contact with children under 16.

The couple were charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse in the Oct. 5 death of 10-month-old Du'Wan Lanhan. Quentin May said in court Friday that the child was his step-great-grandson.

According to the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office, the child's death was caused by Cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxer, and methadone toxicity. Both drugs had been prescribed to the couple, according to authorities.

Lawyers for the couple said prescription pills were scattered on the floor of the couple's former residence, in Taylor, after a break-in at their home. Quentin May was helping to care for the infant. Police said the child found the pills, ingested them and died.

The case was heard before Wayne County Circuit Judge Shannon Walker.

Rebecca May died Sept. 4 after returning from a court hearing in which a plea deal that involved jail time for her was laid out before the judge. The cause and details of her death have not been released.

Charges against Rebecca May were dismissed Friday, and Quentin May cried as his late wife's name was cleared.

Quentin May, who was recently hospitalized for heart problems, blames Taylor police for seeking charges against him and his wife.

"(The detective on the case) didn't do his job," he said Friday. "He knew that the house had been broken into. (Police) should have cleaned it up or told us about it."

Quentin May said he was in the hospital during the break-in and was not aware of scattered pills on the floor until he was released from the hospital. He said police knew, however.

He said he pleaded guilty to get on with his life. 

"My wife told me before she left me to plead guilty," said Quentin May. "She said 'Baby go on and plead guilty.'"

He added: "I am bitter because whenever the door opens, I think it's my wife."

Quentin May said he thinks the stress of the charges contributed to her death.

"It finally got to her. She didn't do anything wrong," he said. "It was an accident."

bwilliams@detroitnews.com

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