A 31-year-old Bridgeport man pleaded not guilty in Milford Superior Court Wednesday morning in connection to the death of his infant daughter.

Dale Kirkland's daughter, Leilani, was found dead in a Milford motel room Aug. 22.

"He was a nice guy - cordial and caring to his baby girl," said Ehma Ndi, who lives on Bell St. in Bridgeport. Court records show Kirkland lived on Bell St. at the time of his arrest.

"It's heartbreaking the way his baby was found, dead -- but I think it's important to reserve judgement until all the facts are in," Ndi said.

Kirkland has been charged with risk of injury to a minor and intentional cruelty to a person, but officials say he could face additional charges after the infant's autopsy is completed.

State police joined Milford and Bridgeport police departments in tracking Kirkland down and arresting him, without incident on East Main Street in Bridgeport.

Kirkland's arrest came about eight hours after a Mayflower Motel staff member discovered the child dead in a bathtub in a room Kirkland had rented, then vacated, on Aug. 22.