Toddler Died of Blunt Trauma to Head

A 20-month-old Dayville boy died of head trauma and his mother is being held on $1 million bond and on suicide watch, charged in his death.

Melissa O'Connor, 23, said little in court on Friday -- only that she understood the charges filed against her --  strangulation, murder and assault of her son, Bryce O'Connor.

The baby died of blunt traumatic head injury, according to the medical examiner.

Police went to Melissa O'Connor's apartment on Hartford Pike in the Dayville section of Killingly on Thursday morning after receiving a 911 call reporting an unresponsive baby and found Bryce. He was taken to Day Kimball Hospital on Thursday and pronounced dead when he arrived.

O'Connor was caring for him at the apartment when he stopped breathing, police said.

The state on Friday described the evidence against Melissa O'Connor as "overwhelming."

“We have a strong case and we will continue investigating and we will proceed vigorously,” Patricia Froehlich, the state's attorney, said. 

O’Connor is being held on $1 million bail because of the nature of the charges and what the state describes as an overwhelmingly strong case. The judge agreed. It was also stated in court that O'Connor is on disability and has mental problems.

O’Connor is being held on $1 million bail because of the nature of the charges and what the state describes as an overwhelmingly strong case. The judge agreed. It was also revealed in court that the defendant is on disability and has mental problems.

“We view the defendant as a risk to the safety of the community and specifically to children,” Froehlich said.

She is now on suicide watch and is being held on $1 million bond.

Another small child who was in the home when police arrived is now in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.

Prosecutors revealed very little about the circumstances surrounding the little boy’s death. Those details are usually included in the affidavit of probable cause but that remains sealed for the next two weeks. A probable cause hearing will be held on June 10. 

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