Suspect appears in court after baby found in Milford motel bathtub dies

MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The Bridgeport man who was wanted in connection to the death of a baby found in a bathtub at a Milford motel had his first appearance in court on Thursday.

Dale Kirkland, 31, faces charges of risk of injury to a minor and cruelty to persons in connection with the death of an infant found inside the bathtub of room 165 by cleaning staff at the Mayflower Motel in Milford.

“The defendant was the last person to see that child alive,” prosecutor Alana Paul said. “Was the last person near that child.”

At the motel, other guests remembered seeing Kirkland again.

Eric Klobedanz, a guest, said he saw Kirkland with an infant girl a few weeks ago.

“That was the night he was holding her wrapped up in a blanket in his arms, walking around looking for cigarettes from people,” Klobedanz said.

At least for this stay, police said Kirkland checked into the motel with the baby Tuesday and checked out without the baby on Wednesday, which is when the child was discovered unresponsive.

“These are very extremely serious allegations, about as serious as you can get, and does involved the death of a child,” Judge Auden Grogins said.

She kept Kirkland’s bond at $1 million and ordered mental health and suicide watches, as well as a competency evaluation. He has no criminal history.

“There will likely be additional charges coming,” Paul said.

Kirkland, who is from Bridgeport, has been living there for nine months. He has been employed by Fed Ex for nine months. Prior to that, he was living out of state.

“Very much so glad he’s behind bars,” Klobedanz said.

Kirkland’s case has been moved to Part A, where the more serious crimes are heard.

He is due back in court on Wednesday.

Court documents in this case were sealed on Wednesday for 14 days.

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