Bonds At $3.1 Million For Man Facing Murder, Home Invasion Charges And Claims That He Called Victim From Jail

WILLIMANTIC, CT — A man charged Tuesday with two murder counts in connection with the death of an infant in Willimantic last December is now in custody on $3.1 million in bonds while also facing charges in a home invasion case and standing accused of violating a protective order by calling the victim from jail.

Dean Peruta, 40, of Middletown, is due back in court in Danielson on Nov. 17 for the murder and home invasion cases and his respective bonds are $2 million and $1 million. He is due in Rockville Superior Court on Sept. 24 in the protective order case, for which he is being held on a $100,000 bond.

On Tuesday, a warrant was served at Danielson Superior Court to Peruta. He has been charged with murder, murder of a victim younger than 16 and risk of injury to a child.

Police said that, on Dec. 21, they learned that a child was taken to a hospital after sustaining a fall at a home. After evaluation, the child was taken to another hospital for additional medical care, but succumbed to injuries, police said.

Police said at the time, "Upon learning of the incident, detectives initiated an investigation and continued to work in coordination with medical personnel.

Police then added, "The Willimantic Police Department is providing an update and has been advised by medical professionals that life-saving measures were withdrawn. The infant has since passed away."

In August, a warrant accused Peruta of violating a protective order by contacting the victim in his home invasion case from prison, state police said.

State police from the Troop C barracks On Aug. 13 served a warrant to Peruta on two counts of violating a protective order associated with the May 4 home invasion.

Peruta is facing charges of home invasion, second-degree assault involving striking or kicking the head, criminal violation of a restraining order, first-degree strangulation or suffocation, first-degree unlawful restraint, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree threatening involving a physical threat and attempted murder.

Police records show that Peruta is accused of breaking into his ex-wife's Willimantic home at about 10 p.m., choking her and beating her. Officers responding to an emergency 911 call heard screams, forced their way into the home and took Peruta into custody, police records show.

On June 18, the woman told state police that she received a call from the prison and it was Peruta.

She "immediately" recognized his voice, according to a warrant. Peruta said it was because of a child's birthday, but court orders prohibit him from having any contact with her.