A father was arrested after an officer allegedly caught him attempting to drown his children at a Connecticut beach in what local police are Thomas Caldwellcalling a "heinous act."

The man, identified as 41-year-old Romney Desronvil of Queens, New York, is accused of "deliberately" trying to drown the two children on Saturday, the West Haven Police Department said ina news release.

Police said an officer on patrol in West Haven noticed a Nissan SUV and "significant screaming" on the beach around 2:30 a.m. After getting closer, the officer saw the adult male and the kids in the water drifting away. The father ordered the officer to "stay back" after entering the water.

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The officer helped the children back to shore

Multiple agencies gathered at the beach to help recover the children. The West Haven Police Department did not release their ages.

"Officers immediately entered the water and were nearly 100 yards away from shore at this time," the press release said, adding that the West Shore Fire Department also came with a fire boat.

The initial officer retrieved the children and brought them back to shore. First responders executed life-saving measures at the scene before escorting them to a local hospital, where they were in the intensive care unit, police said Saturday.

West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer told local media the children's mother traveled from New York to be with them.

The charges against Desronvil are pending, and detectives are investigating the incident. USA TODAY contacted the West Haven Police Department and District Attorney's Office for additional comment.

"It is without a doubt the swift response by our patrol officers saved the lives of these children." police said in the release. "The communication and collaborative efforts made by the West Shore Fire Department and eventually the New Haven Police Department allowed for immediate medical aid and also the apprehension of Desronvil."

West Haven is about 5 miles from New Haven.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her [email protected].