EAST HAVEN — A 29-year-old father has been arrested in connection with the drowning death of his 7-month-old son who was left unattended in a bathtub last October.
Angel Marcus Rodriguez was taken into custody Monday at his residence and charged with second-degree manslaughter, two counts of risk of injury to a minor and two counts of second-degree reckless endangerment.
The charges stem from the Oct. 6, 2024, death of Angel Josiah Rodriguez, who was found unresponsive in a bathtub at a Redfield Avenue address.
Police responded to the scene at approximately 9:09 p.m. to assist the East Haven Fire Department with a pediatric emergency.
Medics attempted life-saving measures before the infant was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he later died despite medical efforts.
An investigation led by Detective Monique Colbert revealed that Rodriguez left two young children, including the victim, unattended in a bathtub.
When another family member discovered the child unresponsive, Rodriguez was reportedly in a bedroom down the hall talking on his phone.
Rodriguez told investigators he had left the bathroom briefly while the infant was reclined in a bathing chair with the faucet on a trickle.
The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner officially determined the cause of death to be drowning on Dec. 3, 2024.
The child’s primary residence was in Ansonia with his mother, who was not present during the incident.
Rodriguez is being held on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment today at G.A. 23 in New Haven.
