Anthony Andrew Esposito Jr. also admitted trying to kill his teenage daughter after the fatal May 2025 attack.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A Connecticut judge sentenced a Branford man to 60 years in prison for murdering his 12-year-old son and attempting to kill his teenage daughter, state prosecutors announced.
Anthony Andrew Esposito Jr., 53, received a 40-year sentence for murder and a consecutive 20-year sentence for attempted murder during a July 6 hearing in New Haven Superior Court. He pleaded guilty to both crimes April 24, ending the criminal case without a trial.
The charges arose from a May 1, 2025, attack at Esposito’s condominium in Branford. Police went to the home after a woman called and said she believed Esposito had killed someone inside. Officers learned while responding that he had already left the residence.
Police entered the condominium and found Esposito’s son, Anthony P. Esposito, in the basement with serious injuries. Prosecutors said the child had been struck numerous times with a baseball bat. A paramedic pronounced him dead at the scene.
Authorities issued a regionwide alert for Esposito after discovering the boy. Connecticut State Police troopers soon stopped his vehicle on Route 79 near the Durham-Madison town line. Troopers took him into custody and transferred him to Branford police.
According to police, Esposito admitted leaving the home while knowing his son was dead and driving to the Branford town green to pick up his teenage daughter. When they returned, she asked where her brother was. Esposito told her that the boy was downstairs and followed her toward the basement staircase.
Police said Esposito pushed his daughter down toward the basement area where her brother’s body was located. Investigators reported that he said he likely would have killed her if he had been able to reach the bat. The girl escaped from the basement safely, and Esposito left the condominium before police arrested him.
Judge Tracy Lee Dayton imposed the sentence after hearing from the boy’s mother and sister. Prosecutors said Dayton praised their courage and recognized police officers, firefighters and state troopers who responded to the case. The judge described it as one of the worst cases the court had seen.
Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Adrienne Russo called the crime “unfathomable” and noted the strength shown by the victim’s family throughout the proceedings. Russo prosecuted the case with Assistant State’s Attorney Cynthia Lill, with support from Inspector Sean M. Faughnan and Victim Advocate Christie Ciancola.
The Branford Police Department and the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad investigated the killing. Several other agencies assisted, including the Branford Fire Department, North Branford police, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the state Division of Scientific Services.
New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John P. Doyle Jr. thanked the investigators, first responders, prosecutors and victim-support workers involved in the case. The Branford Counseling Center and Connecticut’s Office of Victim Services have continued to assist the family. Esposito is serving a total effective prison term of 60 years.
Author note: Last updated July 10, 2026.