Father drove around Connecticut for 30 minutes knowing his baby was dead in back seat

Police in Connecticut believe a man they arrested knew his newborn son was dead in the back seat of his car, but continued to drive round in circles.

Divya Patel, 34, was detained on Saturday (18 November) after his wife called police to say her baby was not breathing and was unresponsive in Patel's car at the Residence Inn on Cromwell Avenue.

Police arrived at the scene but only the wife was there, as Patel had sped off in his car. He then went on a 30-minute drive with the dead baby in the back seat while police tried desperately to persuade him to return.

Patel eventually went back to the hotel where officers tried to resuscitate the baby. The child was rushed to Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators believe Patel knew that the child had died and say he did nothing to get him aid or emergency care.

He is being held on $1,000,000 bond and is scheduled to be appear in court in New Britain Superior Court on Monday. Police said the investigation is still active and more charges against Patel are pending.

A Department of Children and Families spokesperson could not say whether the agency had been involved with the family before this incident.