Conn. mom arrested after 2-year-old son fell from a high window and died

HARTFORD, Conn. (TCD) -- A 34-year-old mother was arrested and charged after her 2-year-old son fell from a third-story window over the weekend and died after being taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert told reporters officers responded to a home on the 1000 block of Capitol Avenue on Saturday, July 22, after receiving a call about a child who fell from a window. When they arrived, they found the toddler suffering from "serious" and "life-threatening" injuries. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.

Boisvert said the boy’s "very bad" fall "appears to be a case of neglect" and that there were four other children at the residence all under the age of 12. Boisvert described the home as "very deplorable."

The boy was not responsive by the time officers and paramedics arrived.

He confirmed that the child fell after a screen came off. The children were reportedly home alone when the incident occurred.

Both of the boy’s parents were detained, and court records show the mother, Tabitha Frank, is facing 10 charges of risk of injury to a child. She was released after posting $100,000 bond. WTNH-TV reports Frank will likely face other charges that align with the boy’s "tragic and untimely death."

The Connecticut Department of Children and Families is also investigating the case. They released a statement saying, "We can confirm the department is conducting a joint investigation with the Hartford Police Department into this terrible tragedy. The child’s siblings are safe and being provided supportive services to address the trauma they have experienced."

The statement continued, "We are grateful for the lifesaving efforts of the first responders and, likewise, hope they too can work through the extremely difficult circumstances they encountered."

According to the Connecticut Post, DCF wrote in an April report that Frank’s children were "deemed safe and living conditions adequate" and that they "were visible to the community, benefited from extended family members in the area and were connected to community-based supports."

An officer wrote in a report, however, that the "air within the apartment was heavy with an overwhelming foul odor."

MORE:

• Two-year-old boy who fell from window in Hartford has died: police - NBC Connecticut
• Mother to face charges after 2-year-old child fatally falls from window in Hartford -  WTNH
• DCF 'reviewing' its handling of case after Hartford 2-year-old dies from apartment window fall - Connecticut Post
• State of Connecticut vs. Tabitha Frank