Father Killed 2-Year-Old, Buried Him In Park While Holding Child's Mom Hostage: Cops

A Connecticut man who had earlier served prison time for child abuse has been arrested for allegedly murdering his 2-year-old son and burying his remains in a park. The 26-year-old suspect, who was on a no-contact order with the boy, also held the child's mother hostage for a week, officials said.

Edgar Ismalej-Gomez was arrested Tuesday on charges of violating probation. He is expected to face more charges in connection with the death of his toddler son, Liam Rivera. The boy's remains were found inside a plastic bag at Cummings Park in Stamford on Monday, Stamford Police Department said in a news release Tuesday.

The deputies received a report about a possible kidnapping of a child who may have been harmed. They reached the park after getting information that the 2-year-old may have been buried in the area.

The chief medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide due to multiple blunt force trauma to the head. Officers did not reveal the exact date on which Rivera was killed, NY Post reported.

"We know there are days that are tougher than others. But what the officers saw yesterday is not something they sign up for," Police Chief Timothy Shaw said in the news release.

According to reports, Ismalej-Gomez was on a no-contact order with Rivera after pleading guilty to breaking the child's arm when he was just 8 months old. The court ordered him to serve 60 days in prison, along with three years of probation. However, Ismalej-Gomez violated the terms of probation and was living with Rivera and the child's mother for the past few weeks, said Supervisory State's Attorney Michelle Manning.

The child was reportedly found dead after Ismalej-Gomez went to his son's room a week back. The suspect did not allow the boy's mother to call for help. He put the toddler's body in a bag and then buried it in the park, Manning said during the arraignment Tuesday.

The mother managed to contact the cops Monday.

Meanwhile, it was unclear if the child's mother would face any charges.

"While this investigation is fluid and we may not be able to share many details, we wanted to let the community know that we are confident that there is no ongoing threat to our community," Shaw said.