Mother of Middletown Baby Thrown from Bridge Intends to Sue State Over His Death

Middletown, CT — A year after her 7-month-old son was thrown from the Arrigoni Bridge by his father and found dead two days later, Adrianne Oyola is planning to sue the state over his death.

WFSB 3 reports Oyola, 19, is claiming the state Department of Children and Families was negligent and could have done more to save Aaden Moreno’s life and is seeking permission from the claims commissioner for the right to sue the state, which is required under state law.

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Oyola is seeking $15 million in the lawsuit, $5 million in compensation for herself and $10 million for Aaden’s estate, according to WFSB 3.

Tony Moreno, 21, was charged with murder and murder with special circumstances after police said he threw his son off the Arrigoni Bridge and then jumped himself on July 5, 2015. He is being held on a $2 million bond and is awaiting trial.

FOX 61 reported in May that Tony Moreno rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors and the case is expected to go to trial in January.

Last year, Oyola received a temporary restraining order against Moreno and later requested for it to be permanent but was denied, according to WTNH News 8.

In a June 2015 letter to a family court judge, Oyola wrote, via WTNH, that she was afraid Tony Moreno “is going to do something to my son. He is angry and probably isn’t thinking straight. He told me he could make my son disappear anytime of the day.”

Shortly before midnight on Sunday July 5, 2015, Middletown Police received a 911 call that Tony Moreno was believed to be on the Arrigoni Bridge with his son. Tony Moreno made statements that he was going to jump off the bridge, police said at the time, and arriving officers observed Moreno on the southern sidewalk of the bridge.

Within moments of the officers’ arrival, Moreno jumped over the railing before they could reach him. Police said Moreno wasn’t holding Aaden at the time, but an empty stroller was located in the immediate vicinity.

When Tony Moreno was pulled from the water by the Middletown Fire Department Marine Unit, he was unresponsive and was transported to Hartford Hospital via Life Star.

An immediate rescue effort was initiated by the Middletown Fire Department, with assistance from the South Fire District, Portland Fire and Middletown Police Dive Team.

Aaden’s body was recovered from the river on July 7.

When Tony Moreno regained consciousness at Hartford Hospital, he was cooperative with Middletown Detectives and confirmed that he threw Aaden over the railing prior to the officers' arrival on the bridge, police said in a press release at the time.

WFSB reports Oyola’s lawsuit will be turned over to the attorney general, and a hearing will likely be held on whether or not it can proceed.

File photo of Aaden Moreno