Connecticut Father Charged With Murder After Allegedly Beating 12-Year-Old Son to Death

BRANFORD, Conn. – Connecticut man is facing a charge of murder with special circumstances after allegedly beating his 12-year-old son to death with a baseball bat and attempting to kill his teenage daughter, authorities said.

Anthony Andrew Esposito Jr., 52, was arrested Thursday following a traffic stop with the help of Connecticut State Police. Branford police identified the young victim as 12-year-old Anthony P. Esposito.

During a court appearance Friday in New Haven Superior Court, prosecutors said Esposito Jr. admitted to “brutally” beating his son for being disrespectful. He also allegedly pushed his 16-year-old daughter down the stairs and told police he would have killed her too if he had retrieved the bat.

His attorney cited a history of severe mental illness, including childhood psychiatric hospitalizations, and said Esposito Jr. reported hearing voices. Despite a request to lower his $3 million bond, the judge declined.

The Branford Police Department said it is working closely with the public school system to provide grief counseling and support services. “Our hearts are with Anthony’s family, friends, classmates, and teachers,” the department said in a statement.

Grief counseling will be available Saturday at a Branford middle school. Superintendent Christopher Tranberg offered condolences on behalf of Branford Public Schools, calling it an “unimaginable tragedy.”

The investigation is ongoing.