EAST HAVEN, Conn. — A Connecticut mother is calling for justice after police said her seven-month-old baby was found unresponsive in a bathtub while under the care of others last weekend.
“Me, as his mom, if it’s the very last thing I have to do on this earth, I’m going to get justice for both of my kids, both of them,” said Elizabeth Portocarrero, the mother of Angel Josiah Rodriguez.
Just after 9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, Portocarrero got a phone call while at work saying Josiah was being rushed to the hospital.
“I did everything I could to give them the absolute world. And I’m so sorry my son had to go that way,” Portocarrero said.
Portocarrero said Josiah and her other three-year-old son were under the care of their father and other family members at their home on Redfield Avenue in East Haven when this all happened.
East Haven police said when they got to the scene, the baby was found unresponsive after being left unattended in a bathtub. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital, as Portocarrero rushed to see him.
“We’re supposed to care for them. Us. Other people are questionable but us? We’re the parents. And whatever was more important that you felt the need to step out of that bathroom cost us our beautiful seven-month-old child’s life,” Portocarrero said.
Now, Portocarrero is trying to stay strong for her surviving child, who doesn’t yet know about his brother.
“I want to clarify, had my children been with me, they would both still be here,” Portocarrero said.
As Portocarrero fights for justice for both of her children, her niece has had to fight off insensitive comments online. She said people have been placing blame on a GoFundMe she created for Josiah.
“Being the one in charge, [it] is not easy to see what people are saying. But I’m trying to be strong for both my aunt and my mom because we all loved Josiah so much,” said Leslie Baca, Elizabeth’s niece. “I feel like her character was questioned so much. And I had so many people even writing to me, so much disgusting things about her.”
But after East Haven police sent out a statement Wednesday morning, clarifying that Portocarrero was not there at the time of the tragedy, the messages from the community have begun to soften.
“It feels so amazing, you know, having people back her up now,” Baca said. “Now that everything is coming to the light, I just want the community to help as much as they can.”
Baca said all expenses raised through the GoFundMe will go toward Josiah’s services and to help Portocarrero continue to care for her other son. Portocarrero said she does not have the money to give Josiah the goodbye he deserves and will need the support from her community moving forward.
“I don’t think I’ve processed what has happened. I think like, I’m still questioning like, ‘Is this real? Is this not real? Did this really happen?’ Or am I going to wake up and he’s just going to be here? Is he going to cry and I’m going to wake up? But I just know it’s never going to happen,” Portocarrero said.
Portocarrero said Josiah was “a very sweet, loving little boy.”
She said whenever he would get fussy and wouldn’t calm down, she would play Somewhere Over the Rainbow on her phone.
“And he would just stop, look at me, he would smile or laugh. And then he would just stop crying,” Portocarrero said.
For those who would like to donate to the GoFundMe created by the family, click here.
East Haven police have not released the name of the baby’s father and as of now, no charges have been filed yet.
The full statement from East Haven police can be read below:
“We have an update regarding the tragic death of an infant that occurred on Oct. 6, 2024, on Redfield Avenue in East Haven. The child, who was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital and later passed away, has been identified as Angel Josiah Rodriguez, born on Feb. 14, 2024. Preliminary investigation indicates that Angel was in the care of family members in East Haven at the time of the incident. It should be noted that Angel’s primary residence was in Ansonia with his mother, who was not on scene during this incident and was not involved during this terribly tragic event. This case remains under investigation, and further updates will be provided as they become available. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Angel’s family and will remain in contact with them during this incredibly difficult process,” – Cpt. Joseph Murgo, Commander - Administration and Investigative Services Division, East Haven Police Dept.
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Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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