MILFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Department of Children and Families was "involved with the family" of a baby girl for four weeks before her death, according to Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly Tuesday.
According to Milford police, officers were called to the Mayflower Motel around 11 a.m. on Aug. 21 after a housekeeper found the baby, aged three to six months old, unresponsive in a bathtub.
Police said the baby was removed from the bathtub and CPR was done until paramedics arrived. She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Dale Kirkland, 34, who police believe to be related to the baby, was arrested later that evening in Bridgeport and is facing charges of risk of injury to a minor and cruelty to persons. He was arraigned in Milford court on Aug. 22 and held on a $1 million bond, with a judge ordering him to have a mental health evaluation, a competency exam and to be put on suicide watch.
The agency said Tuesday that before DCF began a joint investigation with the Milford Police Department regarding the death of the baby, their involvement with the family had taken place over a period of four weeks. Police had also previously said that there was an open investigation with the family.
"Consistent with our standard practice, we have already commenced an investigation to evaluate our work," Hill-Lilly said. "This review will include our knowledge about the family, supports provided, casework decisions, adherence to policy and best-case practices, as well as communication with multiple community stakeholders who were involved with the family."
Hill-Lilly also said in a statement, “This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with this baby's family, friends and others who knew her as well as the law enforcement and medical personnel who responded to this extremely difficult situation."
Anyone needing Connecticut community-based support can call 211, or the Substance Use Access line at 1-800-563-4086, Hill-Lilly said. Behavioral health services information for families can be found here.
Those looking to report suspicious of child maltreatment can do so via the Child Abuse and Neglect Careline at 1-800-842-2288, open all days, weeks, and hours of the year, Hill-Lilly noted.
RELATED: Bridgeport man arrested in connection to death of baby found in bathtub of empty Milford motel room
Sean Humphrey is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at shumphrey@fox61.com.
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.