Dale Kirkland, 31, is charged with child endangerment and cruelty to persons in connection with the death of a baby girl who Milford police believe was between 3 and 6 months old. Police would not confirm the relationship between Kirkland and the baby, but family court records show Kirkland filed for custody of his nearly 4-month-old daughter several weeks ago.

Police said officers were called to the Mayflower Motel on Woodmont Road just after 11 a.m. Wednesday after an employee went to clean an abandoned room. “When she was in the room, she noticed baby items had been left behind and when she was cleaning the room, she found a baby in the bathtub,” PFC Brianna MacDonald told News 12.

Police said emergency responders attempted to save the baby’s life at the scene, but at the hospital the baby was pronounced dead. During the investigation, they learned that the room she was found in was registered to Kirkland. “Upon reviewing the video surveillance, we determined that he checked in with a baby on August 20, checked out yesterday morning and left the room without said child,” MacDonald said.

The search for Kirkland ended Wednesday night when he was spotted in Bridgeport. He was arrested without issue, according to MacDonald. During his arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Alanna Paul said Kirkland left the motel in what the state believes was a disguise. “The defendant was the last person to see the child alive and the last person to be near the child,” Paul said, adding that the case is still under investigation and more charges are likely. Kirkland’s public defender requested a competency evaluation for his client, psychiatric treatment and suicide watch.

Kirkland has no criminal history. He has been in Connecticut for nine months and works at FedEx, a bail bondsman said in court. The warrant for his arrest has been under seal for 14 days.

An autopsy of the infant was performed on Thursday, but the cause of death has not yet been determined.

Police say support is being offered to first responders who were at the motel, as well as those personally affected by the child’s death. “We supported each other and our therapy dog ​​K-9 Winston was immediately on the scene of the accident and provided comfort to our officers, the staff at the affected motel, and some of the victim’s family and friends,” MacDonald said.

Police have not commented on the infant’s mother. A group of women were present at Kirkland’s arraignment but refused to identify themselves to reporters.

Kirkland is due back in court on August 28.