SBS: Connecticut: Kyle Robinson death ruled homicide

Monica Szakacsand Anne M. Amato,

, July 27, 2011

 

ANSONIA -- The Child Fatality Review Panel met Wednesday to discuss the death of 5-month-old Kyle Robinson who died of blunt force head trauma on June 12, two days after being admitted to Yale-New Haven Hospital.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide. Jeanne Milstein, child advocate and chairwoman of the review panel, said they have launched a preliminary investigation.

"After today we (CFRP) have serious concerns about this case," Milstein said during a phone interview.

The next step the panel will take is reviewing every document that may pertain and help the development of the investigation for the case. The state of Connecticut has established CFRP to review unexplained or unexpected circumstances of the death of any child under the age of 18 who has received services from a state department or agency addressing child welfare, social or human services or juvenile justice. Although the review panel is a separate entity, its day-to-day operations are coordinated through the Office of the Child Advocate.

CFRP reviewed Robinson's death because of the family's prior involvement with the Department of Children and Families, according to Milstein.

The infant, was in the care of his mother's boyfriend at the time of the incident, according to Lt. Andrew Cota, police spokesman. No arrests have been made, but Cota said the boyfriend is the focus of the investigation since he was the only adult there at the time.

The boyfriend, whose name has not been released, has retained an attorney.

Police responded to the second-floor apartment on Hubbell Avenue June 10, along with medical personnel, for a report of a child in distress who was unresponsive. Cota said there was no indication at that time that anything criminal had taken place.

"There was no outside indication of any trauma, no blood," he said.

Police got reports from the hospital over that weekend about the baby's condition and they realized "the severe injury was not accidentally inflicted," Cota said, and police are considering the death "a case of shaken baby syndrome."

He said two siblings, ages 2 and 5, were also at home and in the boyfriend's care, but neither was injured

"This will be a very thorough and exhausting investigation," she said.
: http://www.ctpost.com/policereports/article/Panel-joins-police-in-probing-child-s-death-1615210.php#ixzz1ck87xyJc

SBS: Connecticutt: death of Kyle Robinson suspicious

Anne M. Amato, Staff Writer: June 30, 2011

ANSONIA -- The investigation into the death earlier this month of 5-month-old Kyle Robinson continues as police await medical reports and additional information from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, said Lt. Andrew Cota, police spokesman.

"The case is still open and under investigation," Cota said Wednesday. "We have been in touch with the state's attorney's office and have been interviewing witnesses and have more interviews scheduled."

Cota said it's "slow going," but police are making progress.

He said a good portion of the investigation rests on the information they receive from the medical examiner and from doctors at Yale-New Haven Hospital, who treated Kyle prior to his death June 12. An autopsy determined Kyle died from blunt force trauma to his head and the death has been ruled a homicide.

Cota said police are looking at Kyle's death as an "assault situation." He has also said it's being considered a case of shaken baby syndrome. "The doctors at Yale-New Haven said it was a traumatic incident and we are waiting for information to back up what we already believe," he said. He said that information will be "required for any warrants and for prosecution down the road."

No arrests have been made, but the boyfriend of Kelly Robinson-Maresca -- Kyle's mother -- has been the focus of police investigation.

The boyfriend was the only adult at the family's apartment on June 10 when a 911 call was made concerning a child in distress, Cota said.

Kyle's two older siblings, aged 2 and 5, were also at home at the time of the incident, but neither was injured, Cota said.

The boyfriend, whose name has not been released by police, has retained an attorney.

Cota said police and emergency medical personnel tried CPR before transporting the baby to Griffin Hospital in Derby for treatment. The baby was later transferred to Yale-New Haven Hospital where he was put on life support, Cota said.

The incident took place on a Friday night and Kyle died two days later.

Over that weekend, police got reports from the hospital about the baby's condition, and they realized the severe injury was not accidentally inflicted, Cota said.

Shortly after Kyle's death, Joette Katz, DCF commissioner, confirmed that the department first became involved with the family in April because of an incident at the house that resulted in an injury. Cota, at that time, said that most likely referred to an injury one of the older siblings sustained after apparently falling down stairs.

"A comprehensive medical evaluation determined that the reported incident was accidental," Katz said in a statement. She said a further investigation by the department would be conducted as a result of the baby's death, which will include a review of its involvement with the family.

The state Office of the Child Advocate is also investigating the incident, which will be reviewed by that agency's Child Fatality Review Panel, according to Jeanne Milstein, state child advocate.

Reach Anne M. Amato at 203-330-6496 or by email at aamato@ctpost.com

http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Investigation-continues-in-baby-s-death-1446428.php#ixzz1R8QJbkJB

SBS: Connecticutt: 5 month old Kyle Robinson's death ruled homicide

Anne M. Amato, June 16, 2011

ANSONIA -- Police confirmed that Wednesday, when they reported a 5-month-old boy died as the result of blunt force trauma to the head.

The baby, Kyle Robinson, died Sunday.

The infant was in the care of his mother's boyfriend at the time of the incident, according to Lt. Andrew Cota, police spokesman.

Cota said the boyfriend is the focus of the investigation, since he was the only adult there at the time. Cota said two other children -- 2 and 5 -- were also at home and in the boyfriend's care, but neither was injured.

No arrests have been made.

Cota said an autopsy was conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Tuesday, and the baby's death was ruled a homicide.

He said police responded Friday night to the home, along with medical personnel, for a report of a child in distress who was unresponsive. Cota said there was no indication at that time that anything criminal had taken place. "There was no outside indication of any trauma, no blood," he said.

A man who lives in the downstairs apartment tried giving the baby CPR before emergency personnel arrived on the scene, but the baby wasn't breathing, Henderson said.

Cota said police and emergency medical personnel also tried CPR before transporting the baby to Griffin Hospital in Derby for immediate treatment. The baby was later transferred to Yale New Haven Hospital where he was put on life support, Cota said.

"We got reports from the hospital over the weekend about the boy's condition, and we realized the severe injury was not accidentally inflicted," he said. "Right now, we are considering it a case of shaken baby syndrome and are still trying to figure out exactly what happened."

Joette Katz, DCF commissioner, confirmed the department first became involved with the family in April because of an incident at the house that resulted in an injury. "A comprehensive medical evaluation determined that the reported incident was accidental," Katz said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon. "A second report came to the department in May, and the department substantiated neglect against the mother's boyfriend for lack of supervision based upon his having left the children unattended for a very brief period of time."

She said a plan was put in place with the mother that included having a relative assist in caring for the children with the boyfriend, and in-home services were being arranged for the family. During the most recent visit with the family days before the child's death, the department found the children well attended and cared for, she said.

Katz said further investigation by the department will be conducted, which will include a review of its involvement with the family.

"This is a tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of this young boy," she said. "The death of a child deeply affects everyone at the department and most of all those who were recently working to help the family," she added. "It is now our responsibility to look at the case and see what can be learned to make a senseless death like this less likely to recur."

 http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Police-investigating-homicide-of-5-month-old-baby-1424968.php#ixzz1QC63Lx3T