A Connecticut man is accused of murder with special circumstances after allegedly killing his 12 -year -old son with a baseball bat, the authorities said.
Anthony Andrew Esposito Jr., 52, is also accused of criminal attempt to commit a murder after allegedly trying to kill her 16 -year -old daughter, authorities said.
The incident occurred on Thursday in a house in Branford. Police in Branford identified the victim of homicide as Anthony P. Esposito.
Esposito Jr. was arrested Thursday after a traffic stop with the help of the Connecticut state police, Branford Police said.
During their reading charges on Friday in the Superior Court of New Haven, prosecutors said Esposito Jr. allegedly told the Police that “brutally” his son beat because the 12 -year -old boy was being disrespectful.
Anthony Andrew Esposito Jr., in White, appears in the Superior Court of New Haven in New Haven, Connecticut, May 2, 2025.
WTNH
He is also accused of pushing his teenage daughter on the stairs and allegedly admitted to the police that if he could obtain the baseball bat, he would have killed her too, prosecutors said.
His defense lawyer told the court that Esposito Jr. has had mental health problems since he was a small child, including multiple psychiatric hospitalizations during childhood, and pointed out that the police report reflected that he was listening to voices.
Esposito Jr. remains held with a bail of $ 3 million, police said. The defense had asked for the bonus to be reduced to $ 1 million, but the judge kept him at $ 3 million, ABC New Haven Wtnh affiliate reported.
The case remains under investigation.
“Branford Police are working in close collaboration with the Branford Public School System to ensure that grieving counselors and support services are available for students, staff and families affected by this tragedy,” said the Branford Police Department in a press release. “We understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for our community, and our hearts are with the family, friends, classmates and teachers of Anthony.”
The advice support will take place on Saturday at a Branford high school, WTNH reported.
“On behalf of Branford’s public schools, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and all those affected by this unimaginable tragedy,” said the Superintendent of Branford’s public schools, Christopher Tranberg, in a statement to WTNH. “Our hearts are with them during this incredibly difficult time.”
