WEST HAVEN — Early this morning, West Haven Police officers responded to a distressing scene where a man was attempting to drown his children in the ocean off Ocean Ave and Dawson Ave.
At around 2:31 a.m., an officer on patrol noticed a Nissan SUV parked on the beach.
Hearing screams from the water, the officer discovered an adult male, later identified as Romney Desronvil, and two small children in distress.
Desronvil was drifting further away, urging the officers to “stay back.”
Realizing the children were in grave danger, the officers plunged into the water, which was nearly 100 yards from the shore at that point.
Assisted by the West Shore Fire Department and utilizing their fireboat, the rescue team reached the family.
The first officer on the scene managed to secure both children and, with help from backup officers, brought them safely to shore.
Immediate life-saving efforts were administered before the children were rushed to a local hospital by ambulance, where they remain in the ICU.
In a coordinated effort, the New Haven Police Department facilitated a swift escort to the hospital, expediting the delivery of critical medical care.
Romney Desronvil, a Queens, New York resident, has been taken into police custody, with charges pending for the attempted drowning.
The West Haven Police Department credits the quick action of their officers and the effective collaboration with the West Shore Fire Department and New Haven Police for saving the children’s lives and ensuring Desronvil’s arrest.
The Detective Division is now leading the ongoing investigation, with further details to be released as the case progresses.
