Norwood father indicted for manslaughter in the death of his infant daughter

A Norfolk County Grand Jury has indicted a Norwood man for manslaughter in the death of his infant daughter in September 2021, according to Norwood Police Chief William G. Brooks III and Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey.

“Anthony Decosta, 36, of Norwood, is set to be arraigned at 2 p.m. tomorrow, July 13, 2023, in the Norfolk Superior Court for manslaughter, reckless endangerment of a child, and witness intimidation in the death of his daughter Francesca, who was 5 months old at the time,” District Attorney Morrissey said. “He was arrested on the indictment warrant by the Norwood Police Department on Tuesday evening, July 11, and is being held without bail until his arraignment.”

Additional details of the events of September 5, 2021, that prompted the investigation and led grand jurors to indict Decosta are likely to become public at the 2 p.m. Superior Court arraignment and in subsequent filings, District Attorney Morrissey said. “Because this was a direct indictment, with the Norwood and State Police investigators proceeding through the grand jury, there is little detail eligible for disclosure at this time.”

Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth McLaughlin is representing the Commonwealth in the case.