Death of 4-month-old at unlicensed Fairfied day care ruled a homicide

FAIRFIELD, Connecticut (WABC) -- Police say the death of an infant earlier this year at an unlicensed day care in Connecticut has been ruled a homicide.

Fairfield police say an investigation has been launched into the March 22 death of 4-month-old Adam Seagull, of Shelton, at an unlicensed home day care run by Carol Cardillo.

Cardillo had reportedly been running the facility at her home on Edgewood Road for 11 years.

Seagull's death was initially ruled an accident from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, the state medical examiner has found high levels of Benadryl in the baby's system.

"Upon conclusion of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, they found that there were high levels of Benadryl in the child's blood," Fairfield police Lieutenant Rob Kalamaras said.

Deputy Police Chief Chris Lyddy says there had been no signs of trauma, and the baby had not been sick.

Toxicology reports revealed the Benadryl, and an autopsy concluded the baby died from acute diphenhydramine intoxication.

No criminal charges have yet been filed. Lyddy says the investigation is ongoing, and that the daycare was immediately shut down following the child's death.

"It's important to do their homework and make sure that the daycare is licensed through the state of Connecticut," Kalamaras said. "And make sure they're comfortable with the people that they're dropping their children off with on a daily basis."

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)