A Connecticut father is charged with murdering his 3-month-old daughter, Leilani, who drowned in a Milford motel bathtub in August.
Prosecutors claim Dale Kirkland killed the baby, whose body was found by Mayflower Motel cleaning staffers in August, according to News 12 Connecticut. She was reportedly discovered clinging to life, then pronounced dead in an area hospital a short time later.
Kirkland, 31, was charged with cruelty to persons and risk of injury when the baby was found hours after he allegedly checked out of his room.
Charges against Kirkland were upgraded due to findings by a medical examiner in recents days. He reportedly had no reaction in court when the new charges were announced. A public defender told him it was time to leave the courthouse as he stared straight ahead.
The incident happened just weeks after Kirkland filed for custody of his daughter, according to News 12.
Authorities said at the time charges against Kirkland could change once an autopsy had been completed. He pleaded not guilty when the lesser counts were announced. It’s not known why the defendant might’ve killed his child.
Connecticut authorities haven’t responded to a request for comment.