TOMPKINS COUNTY - A Newfield man has been arrested following a Tompkins County Grand Jury Indictment.

On September 8, 2025, Troopers arrested  Justin M. Fenton, age 31 of Newfield, NY.   He has been charged with the following:  
• Manslaughter in the second degree (Recklessly Causes Death), class “C” felony
• Criminally Negligent Homicide, class “E” felony
• Tampering with Physical Evidence, class “E” felony

On June 30, 2024, New York State Police at Ithaca were dispatched by the Tompkins County 911 Center for a report of an unconscious 4-year-old child not breathing, suffering from cardiac arrest at a residence on South Way in the town of Newfield.   The child was transported to Cayuga Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased.  

After an autopsy, the toxicology report determined that the 4-year-old's death was caused by fentanyl toxicity.   The ensuing investigation revealed that Fenton's drug use at the time recklessly exposed the child to a lethal dose of fentanyl, causing his death.

On September 4, 2025, a Grand Jury indicted Fenton on the charges and an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest.    

Fenton was located on September 8 and transported to SP Ithaca where he was processed then turned over to the Tompkins County Jail.

- Information from the NYSP