Father tries to drown his 2 children while at beach, police say

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) – A man was arrested Saturday morning for attempting to drown his own children, police in West Haven, Connecticut, said.

An officer patrolling near Ocean and Dawson avenues around 2:30 a.m. said he noticed a Nissan SUV parked on the beach and heard screams coming from the water.

Rushing to the scene, the officer said he discovered Romney Desronvil, 41, of Queens, New York, with two children.

As the officer entered the water, he said the man drifted further away while screaming, “Stay back.”

Desronvil was seen trying to drown the children despite warnings to stay back, police said, prompting a swift response from authorities and the West Shore Fire Department.

Authorities entered the water with the fire department’s help, using the fire department’s boat.

First responders gave the children emergency, life-saving measures on site before both were rushed to a hospital, where they remain in intensive care.

Desronvil is currently in police custody in West Haven, pending charges.

The West Haven Detective Division is investigating the case.