Milford police identify suspect in motel baby death

MILFORD, CT (WFSB) – A man was scheduled to appear in court Thursday, a day after an unconscious baby was found in the bathtub of a Milford motel.

Dale Kirkland, 31, of Bridgeport, was charged with endangering minors and cruelty to animals, Milford police said.

Police said they were called to the Mayflower Motel around 11:05 a.m. Wednesday after cleaning staff found the baby in the bathtub of an abandoned room.

Officers performed CPR on the child until paramedics arrived. The baby was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly before noon.

Investigators later learned that Kirkland had rented the room and checked out that same morning.

They believed that Kirkland had arrived at the motel with the toddler on the evening of August 20, checked out, and left the toddler behind.

Kirkland was found in Bridgeport with the assistance of the Bridgeport Police Department.

He was arrested and taken to Milford Police Department where he was arraigned. Bail was set at $1 million.

According to police, further charges are pending.

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