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Fairfield Deputy Police Chief Christopher Lyddy confirmed that toxicology tests showed Adam Gregory Vasaturo Seagull had high levels of Benadryl in his system when he died.
The son of Matthew and Michelle (Vasaturo) Seagull of Shelton, Adam was born in New Haven on Nov. 17 and died March 22.
Police received a 911 call at about 3 p.m. that day and responded to 63 Edgewood Road, where Carol Cardillo has operated an unlicensed daycare in her home for about 11 years, police said.
Cardillo told police she had given Adam a bottle around noon and then put him down for a nap in a play crib, according to Lyddy.
She found him unresponsive when she went to check on him around 2:55 p.m., Lyddy said.
Several attempts to revive the baby were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said.
Cardillo was caring for eight children ranging in age from 4 months old to 4 years old on the day Adam died, and there were four adults at the home, police said.
Lyddy said the baby had not been ill, and there were no signs of trauma, so the death was initially thought to be cause by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, the infant’s body was sent for an autopsy because the death was untimely, he said.
The medical examiner listed the cause of death as acute diphenhydramine intoxication, Lyddy said, noting Cardillo told police she had not given the baby Benadryl.
Lyddy said the officers are being “extremely diligent” with the investigation, which may show the overdose was accidental or could result in criminal charges. No suspects have been announced, and no one has been ruled out, he said.
The daycare has been closed since the incident, police said.
Adam’s family called the baby their “little prince,” “tootie muffin” and “little man” and his mother referred to him as “mama’s sweet boy,” according to his obituary.
"His infectious smile brought immediate joy to everyone who had the privilege of experiencing it. As he would look at you with his beautiful brown eyes, your heart became bigger and fuller with love," the obituary said.
Last Tuesday, a 2-month-old New Canaan girl was rushed from her licensed home daycare in Stamford to Stamford Hospital, where she died. The death of Bella Redondo has also been ruled a homicide due to blunt force trauma to the head. No arrests have been made in that case.
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