Children Rescued By Police Remain In Critical Care: West Haven Mayor

WEST HAVEN, CT — Two young children who police said were rescued by officers while they were being deliberately drowned by their father at a beach in West Haven remain in pediatric critical care, Mayor Dorinda Borer said in an update Sunday night.

An officer on patrol around 2:30 a.m. Saturday in the area of Ocean Avenue and Dawson Avenue saw a Nissan SUV parked on the beach.

“As the officer approached, he heard significant screaming taking place from the water,” police wrote in a news release. “As he continued towards this commotion it was apparent an adult male and two small children were in the water. As the Officer entered the water the adult male continued to drift further away with the children all while screaming at the responding officers to ‘stay back.’

“It was obvious at this point that the male, later identified as Romney Desronvil was deliberately drowning his children. Officers immediately entered the water and were nearly 100 yards away from shore at this time.”

Police said other officers at the scene joined members of the West Shore Fire Department and entered the water using the West Shore Fire boat.

“The initial arriving Officer was able to gain possession of both children and back up officers assisted him in bringing the children to shore,” police wrote. “Life saving measures were provided to both children and they were immediately transported in an ambulance to a local hospital.”

Members of the New Haven Police Department met the ambulance and West Haven police at the town line to assist in an escort to the hospital allowing for an immediate transport for further medical assistance, according to police.

Desronvil, 41, of Queens, New York, remained in police custody and police said charges “for this heinous act” were pending.

“It is without a doubt the swift response by our patrol officers saved the lives of these children,” police wrote. “The communication and collaborative efforts made by the West Shore Fire Department and eventually the New Haven Police Department allowed for immediate medical aid and also the apprehension of Desronvil.”

In an update Sunday night, Borer said there has been “so much outpouring of care for the two children who were involved in yesterday's unthinkable incident.”

“While they are both still under Pediatric critical care they have made slight progress with one of the twins now having been taken off the intubation,” Borer wrote in a post on Facebook.

Borer said she went with one of the officers to the hospital on Sunday morning to see the children’s mother.

“She had rushed from NY in the middle of the night to be with her children and has been at the hospital around the clock so I wanted to let her know that even though they are far from home they have an entire community here that cares for them and we will provide whatever she needs; a hotel, meals, clothing, or a big hug,” Borer wrote. “She is very grateful and will let us know if anything is needed. I think for now we give them some time to process and heal but let them know we are here and reach back out as we get more reports.”