In a tragic incident that has shocked the Milford community, a man from Bridgeport was taken into custody after an unresponsive infant was discovered in a bathtub at a local motel. The distressing events unfolded on Wednesday, August 21, when the cleaning staff at the Mayflower Motel, located on 219 Woodmont Road in Milford, made the grim discovery. The baby, believed to be around 9 months old, was found unresponsive in a bathtub of a vacated room shortly after 11:00 a.m.
Police were immediately called to the scene, and officers who arrived performed CPR on the child. Despite their efforts and those of the paramedics who arrived shortly thereafter, the infant was pronounced dead at Yale New Haven Hospital just before noon.
Dale Kirkland, 31, of Bridgeport, has been identified as the person who rented the motel room where the baby was found. Milford police confirmed that Kirkland checked into the motel on the evening of August 20 and checked out the following morning, leaving the infant behind. With the assistance of Bridgeport police, Kirkland was located later that day in Bridgeport and taken into custody. He was subsequently transported to Milford Police Headquarters, where he was charged with risk of injury to a minor and cruelty to persons.
The charges against Kirkland are serious and underscore the gravity of the situation. Risk of injury to a minor is a Class C felony in Connecticut and carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The charge of cruelty to persons is a Class D felony, which can result in a prison term of up to five years. Kirkland’s bond has been set at $1 million, reflecting the severity of the accusations against him. Milford police have indicated that additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation progresses.
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The incident has prompted a thorough investigation by Milford police, who are working to piece together the events leading up to the baby’s death. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death, including the cause of death and whether there was any history of neglect or abuse. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has been called upon to conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Preliminary findings have yet to be released, but the results will play a critical role in the ongoing investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
The case has drawn significant attention due to its tragic nature and the questions it raises about how such a young child was left in such a vulnerable and dangerous situation. It is unclear at this time what Kirkland’s relationship to the infant was, and police have not released any information regarding the identity of the child.
The discovery of the infant’s body has sent shockwaves through the Milford community and beyond. Local residents have expressed their sorrow and disbelief at the tragic events, with many questioning how such a situation could have occurred. The incident has also highlighted concerns about child safety and the importance of vigilance in ensuring that vulnerable children are protected from harm.
Local authorities have urged anyone with information related to the case to come forward, as they continue to gather evidence and seek to understand the full scope of what transpired. The Milford Police Department has assured the public that they are doing everything in their power to ensure that justice is served in this heartbreaking case.
Kirkland is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, where he will face a judge to answer to the charges against him. The legal process is likely to be lengthy and complex, given the seriousness of the charges and the need to thoroughly investigate all aspects of the case.
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As the legal proceedings move forward, the case will undoubtedly continue to draw significant public and media attention, both for its tragic nature and for the broader questions it raises about child welfare and the responsibilities of caregivers.