MIDDLETOWN --The mother of a baby who police say was tossed over a bridge by his suicidal father applied for a restraining order against him a few weeks ago, court documents show.
Crews searched for 7-month-old Aaden Moreno beginning Sunday when police say the child’s father, Tony Moreno, 22, jumped from the Arrigoni Bridge in Middletown into the Connecticut River. Police said Moreno’s family contacted police to say that he was threatening to commit suicide. Police believe he tossed Aaden over the bridge before he jumped.
Rescue crews managed to pull Moreno from the river alive but Aaden was found dead Tuesday. Authorities have now classified the search as a recovery operation.
According to court documents, Aaden’s mother, Adrianne Oyola, 19, applied for a restraining order against Moreno on June 17 because she feared for her and her child’s safety.
In the documents, Oyola wrote that Moreno “shoved me, pushed me, forcefully poked my chest.”
“He has told me he could make my son disappear anytime of the day,” she continued. “He told me he would put me in the ground and put something on me to make me disintegrate faster."
A temporary restraining order was in place until a hearing late last month, but the official order was – for reasons unknown – denied by the judge.
Court documents show the couple’s most recent court date was last week, but Moreno never showed up.
The search to recover baby Aaden continued Tuesday with assistance from divers from area towns, DEEP, and Connecticut State Police. Helicopters from State Police and Homeland Security were also used as well as sonar technology.
Middletown Mayor Dan Drew thanked the community for the support of Aaden’s family but asked people to stay away from the river so that crews could search, “unimpeded by volunteers.”
Drew said the command center in Harbor Park was coordinating the efforts and had closed the river is closed to civilian traffic.
Middletown High School is also offering grief counseling for anyone impacted by the incident. According to yearbook photos, both Oyola and Moreno attended Middletown High School at one point. Oyola graduated this year, according to Facebook.
The community also held a candlelight vigil for Aaden on Monday evening.
“He’s a very happy little boy,” said family member Tom Moreno. “Very big beautiful smile, seemed like a really good baby, very quiet. I don’t think he cried out once while we were talking to his parents.”
Moreno is in stable condition but police have not been able to question him because injuries to his face from the fall are so severe. Charges are expected to be filed.
