East Haven, CT – A 30-year-old father will serve five years in prison after admitting he left his two young sons alone in a bathtub, a decision that led to the drowning death of his 7-month-old baby and placed his 3-year-old child at risk.
On Wednesday, Angel Marcus Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter and one count of risk of injury to a child in connection with the October 2024 incident at a home on Redfield Avenue.
A judge sentenced Rodriguez to 15 years in prison, suspended after five years served, followed by three years of probation. In effect, he will serve five years behind bars.
The charges stem from the death of Angel Josiah Rodriguez, 7 months old at the time, and the circumstances involving the child’s 3-year-old brother.
According to court records and an arrest warrant obtained by the New Haven Register, Rodriguez told investigators he left the children unattended in the bathtub while he went to use another bathroom in the house because the toilet in the children’s bathroom was not flushing properly. He initially said he could not recall how long he was gone, later estimating it may have been about five minutes.
- Father pleaded guilty to manslaughter and risk of injury
- Sentenced to 15 years, suspended after five years served
- Incident occurred at Redfield Avenue home in October 2024
Investigation details from Redfield Avenue home
The underlying incident occurred late on Oct. 6, 2024, at the family’s residence on Redfield Avenue in East Haven, located east of New Haven.
Authorities said the infant was discovered facedown in the bathtub by his grandmother. The 3-year-old child was nearby, playing with toy cars beside the tub.
Emergency responders attempted lifesaving measures, but the baby was later pronounced dead.
The prosecution argued that leaving two young children unattended in a bathtub created a substantial and unjustifiable risk. The surviving child was not physically injured.
For broader regional coverage, see Connecticut child neglect cases.
As in all criminal cases, a guilty plea constitutes an admission of responsibility. Rodriguez will serve his sentence under the supervision of the Connecticut Department of Correction.
Sentencing concludes East Haven child death case
