Conn. father allegedly beat his 12-year-old son to death with baseball bat after hearing voices
05/05/2025 12:13 pm PDT
BRANFORD, Conn. (TCN) -- A 52-year-old man stands accused of fatally beating his son and trying to kill his daughter after hearing his parents’ voices in his head.
According to the Branford Police Department, Anthony Esposito Jr. allegedly killed his 12-year-old son, identified as Anthony P. Esposito, on May 1 on Hemlock Road. Per an arrest report reviewed by the Hartford Courant, a woman called law enforcement and reported that Esposito Jr. had killed someone in the home. Officers responded, but while en route, Esposito Jr. reportedly fled in a Chrysler Pacifica.
Police entered the home and found the victim with apparent head trauma, and a paramedic pronounced him deceased at the scene.
Troopers reportedly performed a traffic stop on Esposito Jr. According to the arrest report, Esposito Jr. told authorities he heard the voices of his father and mother in his head. Esposito Jr. reportedly told investigators that his son often acted "disrespectful" and gave him the middle finger. The suspect allegedly said the voices of his parents told him not to allow his son to be disrespectful. He also alleged that his parents abused him as a child.
Esposito Jr. reportedly told police he heard his mother say, "Baseball, baseball, bat," and then he retrieved a bat and swung it at the back of his son’s head. Esposito Jr. allegedly said he wanted "it to end quick" so his son wouldn’t suffer.
According to the arrest report, Esposito Jr. left the home after killing his son and went to pick up his daughter. When she asked about her brother, Esposito Jr. allegedly said the boy was downstairs. The daughter reportedly went toward the staircase, where investigators allege Esposito Jr. pushed her down. Police believe if he had grabbed the bat, he would have killed her too, but the girl was able to escape.
Esposito Jr. faces charges of murder with special circumstances and criminal attempt to commit murder. He remains held on $3 million bond.
Christopher Tranberg, the superintendent of Branford Public Schools, reportedly sent a letter to the community and wrote, "We extend our deepest sympathies to all those affected."
MORE:
