Man Allegedly Beat 12-Year-Old Son to Death With Baseball Bat for Being “Disrespectful”

A man from Branford, Connecticut, is facing murder charges after police say he beat his 12-year-old son to death with a baseball bat.

Anthony Andrew Esposito Jr., 52, was arrested on Thursday, May 1, and has been charged with murder with special circumstances.

The “special circumstance” is because the victim, Anthony P. Esposito, was under the age of 16. 

Anthony Andrew Esposito was arrested for beating his 12-year-old son to death with a baseball bat

Image credits: WTNH

Esposito is also facing charges of attempted murder for allegedly trying to kill his 16-year-old daughter. 

Police said the attack happened inside their home on Hemlock Road on Thursday.

According to the arrest report, Esposito told officers his son was “frequently disrespectful to him, sticking his middle finger up in his face and telling him to f*** off.” 

Esposito also told police he heard the voices of his late parents, who told him not to let his son “get away with it.” 

Esposito heard his mother’s voice saying, “Baseball, baseball bat.”

After the killing, Esposito picked up his 16-year-old daughter near the town green. When they returned home around 3:15 p.m., she asked about her brother. 

Credits: WTNH

Esposito told her he was downstairs. Then, he allegedly pushed her down the stairs toward the boy’s body.

Police said Esposito admitted he wanted to kill his daughter. He told investigators that if he had reached the bat, he would have done it. 

The daughter was able to run away before he could reach the bat, the report obtained by Stamford Advocate said. 

Esposito fled the scene in a vehicle after the alleged crimes, but was stopped on Route 79 by police officers. He was taken into custody without a fight.

Esposito appeared in New Haven Superior Court on Friday.

At his arraignment, his public defender, Margaret I. Castinado, said Esposito had suffered mental health problems since childhood. 

He had been hospitalized for psychiatric issues as a child but has been untreated for the past 15 years.

She added that Esposito’s mother had recently died by suicide. 

The defense requested that the bond be lowered from $3 million to $1 million, but the judge refused the request. 

Esposito allegedly heard his late parents tell him not to let his son “get away with it”

Image credits: Brantford Police Department

“The town is deeply saddened by the tragic event that took place yesterday, resulting in the death of a child as a result of a violent incident at the hands of a family member,” Branford First Selectman James Cosgrove said in a statement.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Tranberg also expressed his condolences.

“On behalf of the Branford Public Schools, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all those impacted by this unimaginable tragedy,” he said.

“Our hearts are with them during this incredibly difficult time.”

Anthony was a sixth grader at Walsh Intermediate School in Branford. The school is offering counseling support for students and staff. 

According to News 8 WTHN, the community is in shock after the incident. 

“Anthony was a very nice kid,” said Matthew Edgar, a friend. “He was always joyful and loved to play.”

Another friend, Andrew Edgar, said, “We played in the pool with him all the time. He was very kind.”

Judge Arthur C. Hadden has issued a no-contact protective order; however, it is not clear whom the order prevents Esposito from contacting. 

He has also recommended that Esposito be placed on suicide watch while incarcerated and receive mental health attention, medical attention, and medication.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Branford Police Department at (203) 481-4241.

The investigation is ongoing.