Waterbury Police arrested a suspect in the death of a mother and daughter Friday.
Police say they responded to the residence after a disturbance call at 21 Third Street just after 9 a.m. Friday. A two-year old was found wandering outside crying.
"She just came outside crying, so I was like let me take her back. She did it a couple of times before and the door was kicked open all you see was blood and and all you see was a body," said Ricardo Suarez of Waterbury.
Police entered a unit and they found a mother and daughter dead in a residence. Police identified the mother as Chaqueniqua Brodie, 29, and her daughter who they did not name.
Neighbors said the family just moved in around May.
Police located and arrested Anthony Rutherford, 28, in connection with the case. They said he is not the biological father of the 9-year-old. Police said Rutherford was found in the Brooklyn section of Waterbury and some neighbors said they know him.
"We used to have drinks before dinner. We spoke about his past from Philadelphia. I knew he was Haitian and Jamaican," said Stephen McLay of Waterbury.
McLay added he heard Chaquinequea and Anthony argue loudly around 6 a.m.
"He seems like a generally nice guy when you talk to him, but you could tell there was always something a little off about him," said Amy Falange of Waterbury.
Rutherford was charged with:
- Murder (2 counts)
- Risk of Injury to a Child (2 counts)
- Criminal Use of a Weapon
- Illegal Discharge of a Firearm
- Reckless Endangerment 1stDegree
- Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit
- Illegal Possession of a Weapon in a Motor Vehicle
- Interfering With an Officer
He is being held on $2,500,000.00 bond
Rutherford is expected to be arraigned in Waterbury Superior Court on Monday
The two-year-old was with family members at St. Mary's hospital to be evaluated.
Police have not released a motive for the murder or how it was done.
FOX 61 expects to learn more when Rutherford will be arraigned in court on Monday.
Anyone having information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Waterbury Police at (203) 574-6941 or Waterbury Crime stoppers (203) 755-1234.