New York Man Accused of Attempting to Deliberately Drown His Children at Connecticut Beach

Police in Connecticut were in the right place at the right time to rescue two children who were allegedly being deliberately drowned by their father.

The West Haven Police Department said a patrol officer saw a Nissan SUV parked on the beach in the area of Ocean Avenue and Dawson Avenue at around 2:30 a.m. on June 22.

As the officer approached the vehicle, he heard "significant screaming" coming from the water, and saw an adult male with two small children.

The officer entered the water, and the man shouted at him to "stay back" as he "continued to drift" farther away with the children.

"It was obvious at this point that the male, later identified as Romney Desronvil was deliberately drowning his children," police said.

Other officers arrived at the scene and entered the water, along with the West Shore Fire Department, which entered the water in a fire boat.

They were nearly 100 yards from shore when the first officer "was able to gain possession of both children" and backup officers helped them return to shore.

Emergency lifesaving measures were provided to the children and they were both transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where they were admitted to the ICU.

The New Haven Police Department met the ambulance and police at the town line to provide escort to the hospital.

Desronvil, 41, of Queens, N.Y., remained in the custody of West Haven Police, and charges were pending further investigation, police said.

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"It is without a doubt the swift response by our patrol officers saved the lives of these children," WHPD said. "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."

TMX contributed to this report.