Two young children hospitalized after their father allegedly tried to drown them at a Connecticut beach over the weekend have been released from the intensive care unit and are showing good signs of progress toward a recovery, according to West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer.
The children, who are twins younger than 3 years old, were rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital in the early morning hours Saturday after police interrupted what they allege was an attempt by 41-year-old Romney Desronvil of the Queens section of New York City to drown them.
“The latest news is that they are out of ICU and the care team continues to be encouraged by their remarkable progress,” Borer said Tuesday.
Borer said investigators are not yet sure what Desronvil’s motive could have been or why he chose a beach in West Haven to carry out his alleged acts.
“Not that we know of yet,” she said. “He said he was visiting a friend in Bridgeport, but we’re not quite sure how he ended up here.”
Desronvil remains held in lieu of $2 million bail while he faces two counts each of attempted murder, risk of injury to a child and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Borer said the story of how first responders rescued the two young children is incredible and one that was completely reliant on timing, adding that a “matter of seconds” could have made all the difference.
An officer making his rounds as the city’s bars and restaurants were closing was checking the parking lots at the beaches, as Borer had issued a sunset curfew following a large gathering in April that led to multiple fights and a shooting.
During what are normally routine checks, the police officer noticed a vehicle parked on the sand of the beach and, upon getting out of his cruiser, heard kids in the water crying and screaming. He radioed for backup and did not hesitate to take action.
“He immediately jumped into the water,” Borer said. “And you got to think about it, it’s 2:30 in the morning, it’s pitch black, against the tide with his clothes on.”
“He jumps in, a backup officer arrives and he jumps in as well,” Borer said.
“A fire boat is in the water in less than three minutes, which had additional police officers on it,” she said. “That boat apprehended the suspect and got the kids away from him, because he was continuing to go out into the ocean. They were out 100 yards.”
Borer said the timing of how the rescue played out was “impeccable,” adding that if the officer who noticed something was awry had run into any issue when he had been making his rounds “the timing would have been off.”
“It truly was seconds,” Borer said. “If they got there any later I don’t think it would have been the same outcome.”
The first responders involved in the rescue will be recognized by the city at a Police Commission meeting in July.
“They were really brave,” Borer said.
According to Borer, the mother of the children rushed to Connecticut from New York upon learning what happened. Though she was offered hotel room accommodations, she has chosen to stay at the hospital with her children.
Borer visited the mother at the hospital over the weekend and offered to send her meals or anything else she needs while she grapples with the situation.
“I just wanted to let her know that we’re there for her,” Borer said. “I gave her a big hug.”
“I told her that even though she’s not from Connecticut, that we have an amazing community that’s thinking of her and there for her for whatever her and the children need.”
“It was an emotional encounter.”
Borer said she plans to reach out to the mother again in the coming days to make sure she’s getting everything she needs and check on the progress of the children.
