Warrant: Infant was ‘completely submerged underwater’ in Milford motel bathtub

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The Bridgeport infant who was found unresponsive in a Milford motel bathtub last month was “completely submerged underwater,” according to the newly unsealed arrest warrant for the child’s father. Dale Kirkland , 31, is charged with risk of injury to a minor and cruelty to persons in the death of his 3-month-old daughter, but prosecutors said they expect additional charge s, once the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner completes its final report on the child’s cause of death. Further studies were needed following the child’s autopsy, a spokesperson for the OCME said a couple weeks ago. Kirkland was arrested the evening of Aug. 21 in Bridgeport, several hours after his daughter was discovered at the Mayflower Motel, but his warrant was sealed for 14 days. It became public Thursday and included new details about the baby’s death. Milford police responded to the motel on Woodmont Road just after 11 a.m. after a member of the cleaning staff went to clean a vacated room. Initially, she noticed baby clothes and bags, along with a car seat, had been left behind. Then, when she went into the bathroom, she saw a child’s bathing tub inside the bathtub and a baby inside the smaller tub, who was “submerged with her face under the water,” the warrant said. She was wearing a onesie and had no visible signs of trauma, according to the warrant. Police said first responders attempted lifesaving measures on scene, but the infant was pronounced dead at the hospital. Surveillance video confirmed Kirkland checked into the motel the night before with his daughter and brought the same child's bathing tub she was later found in, according to the warrant. It also said when Kirkland checked out, he wore sunglasses and a black mask. During Kirkland’s arraignment, prosecutors alleged he took off in a disguise. The warrant also included information from another motel guest, who told police she saw Kirkland and his daughter during their previous stay about a week before. That person said Kirkland had appeared disheveled and his daughter was dirty with a dirty diaper, according to the warrant. She also told police Kirkland was asking for cigarettes and “unknown drugs,” the warrant said. According to court records, Kirkland was seeking full custody of his daughter and had notified the state Department of Children and Families of the situation. DCF officials confirmed they had been involved with the family for about a month prior to the baby's death, and said they are now conducting an investigation into what happened. Kirkland is being held on $1 million bond. He pleaded not guilty to the current charges and is due back in court on Sept. 26, which when the state said they expect new charges . Kirkland has pleaded not guilty to the current charges. He has no prior criminal history. "