On Thursday 09/19/24 at approximately 11:37 AM, personnel from Troop L-Litchfield were dispatched to a residence on Fern Ave in Litchfield for a reported incident of risk of injury to a child. Upon arrival on scene, Troopers encountered a male in the driveway of the residence, later identified as Matthew Ruzbasan (DOB 11/02/89). When Troopers questioned Ruzbasan about why they were called to the residence, Ruzbasan explained that he had no idea why they were there, but that other residents present at the home would not speak to him.
Troopers then made contact with the female complainant, who was seated in a vehicle in the driveway holding a five-month-old child. Troopers quickly determined that the complainant was visibly upset as she began to explain what had happened. The complainant explained to Troopers that she had heard the baby crying through the in-house camera system, and upon checking on the well-being of the child, she had set the cameras to record. The complainant advised Troopers that she suspected Ruzbasan may have been abusing the child. Upon reviewing the recorded footage, the complainant noticed that Ruzbasan was acting violently towards the infant child. The complainant advised Troopers that she had left work immediately upon realizing what was happening and called State Police while driving back to her residence. The complainant advised that she said nothing to Ruzbasan upon her return, took custody of the child and waited in her vehicle until Troopers arrived. Troopers reviewed the surveillance footage provided by the complainant, which included Ruzbasan slapping the child's back side, forcibly pushing the child's feet towards their head and violently swinging the child around in the room.
The five-month-old victim was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment and later transferred to a higher level of care. It was later determined that the victim did sustain injuries from Ruzbasan's behavior. The Connecticut Department of Children and Families was also advised of this incident.
Following the investigation, Ruzbasan was arrested on site without incident and transported to Troop L where he was processed on the following charges:
CGS 53-20(a)(1); Intentional Cruelty to Persons
CGS 53-21; Risk of Injury to a Child
CGS 53a-63; Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree.
Ruzbasan was held on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Torrington Superior Court on 09/20/24. Please see the attached criminal information summary.
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