Connecticut officers arrest man who tried to drown 2 children

Associated Press

WEST HAVEN, Conn. — A man who attempted to drown two young children on a Connecticut beach early Saturday morning was stopped by police, authorities said.

An officer spotted an SUV parked on a West Haven beach around 2:30 a.m. and heard “loud screams” coming from the water as he approached. As the officer entered the water, the man continued to drift with the two children, shouting, “Stay back!” according to a social media post from the West Haven Police Department.

It became clear that the man was “deliberately drowning his children,” according to the post.

Responding officers got out nearly 100 yards (91 yards) from shore and were joined by other rescuers on a fireboat.

The first officer to arrive was able to take the children away and other officers helped bring them back to shore. Life-saving measures were taken for the children and they were taken to hospital, where they remained in intensive care on Saturday, according to police.

The man was in police custody. It was unclear Saturday whether he had an attorney.

“It was without a doubt the quick response of our patrol officers that saved the lives of these children,” police said in their message.

An appeal for information on possible charges and further information has been made to police.

The incident remains under investigation.