Danbury police have arrested a man in connection with the death of his 19-month-old son.
Police said 25-year-old Christian Williams had been babysitting his son, identified as Ayden Baskay, at the time of Baskay's death.
He was arrested and charged with manslaughter and risk of injury to a minor.
Police said Williams was already in custody on unrelated charges including burglary.
Baskay died at 16 Housman Street on Sept. 29, police said. Officers responded to the home after receiving a call about a child who was not breathing.
They arrived to find a person performing CPR on Baskay. The boy was transported to Danbury Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The chief medical examiner found that Baskay suffered extensive head trauma and other injuries. The death was ruled a homicide.
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"He was a beautiful little boy and my heart totally breaks," said Dawn Cerone, a friend of the family.
Williams' attorney called Baskay's death an accident.
"He has no idea what happened to the child other than that the child was vomiting and became unresponsive," said attorney Vicki Hutchinson during Williams' arraignment today.
Hutchinson asked the court to save a string of text messages from Williams to Baskay's mother, and said the messages show that Williams taking proper care of the child.
Friends said Williams was conscientious and responsible.
"He was a wonderful father and caring, and a boyfriend and everything so I don't... I can't... it's very hard to associate the crime with this guy," said Tracy Escribano.
Prosecutors said Williams could face up to 34 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
In the meantime, the judge ordered Williams to stay away from his other son, who is a toddler.
Williams is due back in court Oct. 16. He's being held on an $850,000 bond.
