Guilty verdict in overdose death trial that killed a mother and her infant child

In June 2024, Deputies with the Davidson County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence in reference to a suspected overdose death. Upon arrival, deputies discovered 31-year-old Katharine Ellen and her seven-month-old daughter, deceased inside the home.

An autopsy determined that Katharine Ellen died as a result of fentanyl toxicity. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the infant’s cause of death was dehydration after she was left without care when her mother died. Investigators determined that Katharine was the infant's sole caregiver.

The investigation identified Donta Williams as the individual who sold the fentanyl that resulted in Katharine Ellen's death. A Davidson County Grand Jury subsequently indicted Williams in connection with the deaths of both Katharine and her infant child.

Following a week-long trial in Davidson County Superior Court, a jury found Donta Williams, 37, of High Point, North Carolina, guilty on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, of death by distribution and involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to an active prison term of 199 to 260 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

This case serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of fentanyl in our communities. What began with the sale of a deadly narcotic ultimately claimed the lives of a young mother and her seven-month-old child. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office remains committed to aggressively investigating those who distribute fentanyl and other dangerous controlled substances, and to holding those responsible accountable for the lives they destroy.

Fentanyl continues to devastate families across our communities. In this case, the reckless actions of a drug dealer resulted in the deaths of both a young mother and her innocent child. We hope this conviction brings a measure of justice to their loved ones and sends a clear message that those who profit from selling these deadly drugs will be pursued relentlessly and held accountable.

The Davidson County Sheriff's Office extends its sincere appreciation to the High Point Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance throughout this investigation.

The Sheriff's Office also thanks the Davidson County District Attorney's Office for its successful prosecution of this case, Superior Court Judge W. Stetzer for presiding over the trial, and the members of the jury for their service and careful consideration of the evidence.