CT - Father beats 12-year old son to death with baseball bat - New Haven, May 2025

[Clearsky]

Father Accused of Beating His 12-Year-Old Son to Death with a Baseball Bat

Anthony Andrew Esposito Jr., 52, was charged with murder with special circumstances and a criminal attempt to commit murder after allegedly killing his 12-year-old son with a baseball bat on May 1. Esposito told police that he heard voices telling him not to let his son 'get away with'...

people.com

According to a statement from police in Branford — located just east of New Haven — 52-year-old Anthony Andrew Esposito Jr. was charged with murder with special circumstances and a criminal attempt to commit murder after the death of his son on Thursday, May 1.

 

[tlcya]

[the victim] Esposito's aunt, described him as "a bright and loving 12-year-old boy who touched the lives of everyone who knew him."

"His smile, laughter, and kind soul brought warmth to our lives, and his absence leaves an unimaginable void," Bast wrote.
[snip]
Margaret I. Castinado, Esposito Jr.'s public defender, said he has had mental health issues since he was in the first grade and spent some time at a mental health facility but he hadn't taken medication since his release.
https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/anthony-esposito-branford-ct-john-bosco-church-20308230.php

Video Man accused of beating 12-year-old son to death with baseball bat

 

[tlorik]

Why was he left alone with the child? Has he been violent in the past? Anything leading up to this? This just seems so senseless and preventable.

 

[borndem]

It just never stops.
Fly high, sweet boy. No more hurt or fear.
We will never know what this child might have done to make himself and others happy and helpful.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Imagine what that was like for the 12-year-old. Pure torture.

It seems like this man should never have been allowed any custody of a child, and you have to wonder why his medication was stopped. Did a doctor approve that, or did he just refuse to take any?