Branford, Conn. Dad In Court For Fatally Beating Kid With Baseball Bat

“Branford, Conn. dad in court for fatally beating kid with baseball bat”

Prosecutors revealed what the suspect instructed police, and the protection mentioned he has a historical past of psychological well being points and was a sufferer of kid abuse.

BRANFORD, Conn. — A Branford father accused of beating his 12-year-old son to dying with a baseball bat appeared in court docket Friday, together with his obvious motive revealed through the arraignment.

Anthony A. Esposito, Jr., 52, instructed police that he damage his son as a result of he was “disrespectful.” Esposito, Jr. additionally claimed to have pushed his 16-year-old daughter down the steps, in line with the prosecutor within the case and later confirmed within the arrest affidavit.

The lawyer for the state added that Esposito additional admitted to police that he would have killed the daughter as properly if he had been in a position to pay money for the baseball bat.

“Parents are supposed to protect and nurture their children. Instead, Mr. Esposito brutally beat his son with a baseball bat, telling police he was disrespectful,” mentioned the prosecutor.

Esposito, Jr.’s protection group mentioned that he has psychological well being points, endured abuse and a number of psychiatric hospitalizations throughout his childhood and is coping with his mom’s self-inflicted dying that occurred a 12 months and a half in the past. At his final psychiatric hospitalization 15 years in the past, Esposito, Jr. mentioned he heard voices. He reported for counseling for six months and hadn’t acquired therapy or treatment since.

“He does indicate to me that he has had mental health issues since the first grade and multiple psychiatric hospitalizations while in childhood. His mother recently committed suicide,” mentioned the general public defender.

In addition they acknowledged that he had no earlier legal historical past.

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Police responded to the house on Hemlock Highway at 4 p.m. Thursday and found the scene of the assault that took the lifetime of 12-year-old Anthony P. Esposito, a sixth grader at Walsh Intermediate College in Branford.

Esposito, Jr., instructed police he heard voices that stored saying “don’t let him get away with” what Esposito Jr. mentioned was disrespectful habits from his son, in line with the arrest affidavit. Esposito, Jr., went on to inform police that he heard his mom’s voice say “baseball, baseball bat.”

That is when Esposito, Jr., went downstairs, grabbed a bat and attacked his son, the affidavit states.

“He also pushed his 16-year-old daughter down the stairs and admitted to police that if her were able to get a hold of that baseball bat, he would’ve killed her too,” mentioned the prosecutor.

Esposito, Jr., then picked his daughter up from the Branford inexperienced and introduced her house. He instructed police that when they obtained house and the daughter requested the place the son was, he pushed his daughter down the steps, the affidavit states. Esposito, Jr., mentioned he additionally supposed to kill his daughter; she managed to flee earlier than he might get to the baseball bat, in line with the affidavit.

Esposito, Jr., was arrested later throughout a site visitors cease on Route 79.

Kimberly White, a Branford resident, says she is shocked by the tragedy.

“I have no words. I’m blown away because it really is such a quiet neighborhood. I really numb right now and just sad,” White mentioned.

The kid was a pupil within the Branford Public Colleges district, and grief counselors and assist companies can be found to these within the college group affected.

“We understand this is an incredibly difficult time for our community, and our hearts are with Anthony’s family, friends, classmates and teachers,” Branford police mentioned in an announcement Friday.

Branford Public Colleges despatched a letter to the college group, saying that the lack of Anthony P. Esposito was “untimely and tragic.”

“On behalf of the Branford Public Schools, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all those impacted by this unimaginable tragedy. Our hearts are with them during this incredibly difficult time,” mentioned Superintendent Dr. Christopher Tranberg. “In moments like these, it is not uncommon for children and adults to experience a wide range of emotions. These feelings may be prompted by memories of personal loss, fears or anxiety surrounding death in general. We encourage families to create space for open, honest and supportive conversations at home. Listening carefully, validating your child’s emotions and providing comfort can make a meaningful difference.”

Counseling and assist will likely be provided Saturday from 9 a.m. to midday at Walsh Intermediate.

Esposito, Jr. was ordered held on a $3 million bond, throughout which era he’ll obtain medical therapy and will likely be positioned on suicide watch. If Esposito, Jr. is discovered responsible of the fees, he faces a possible sentence of life in jail with out the opportunity of parole.

The decide additionally issued a protecting order. Esposito, Jr. is not going to be allowed to have any contact with the protected particular person, who was not named. He’ll stay in custody.

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