Moorhead Siblings Removed From Parents After Baby Dies In Hot Van
MOORHEAD, Minn. (WCCO) - A judge has ruled that five siblings of a baby girl who died after she was accidentally left in a hot van in Moorhead will temporarily remain in the custody of social services.
According to Clay County Attorney Brian Melton, five-month-old Christiana Sandstrom died after being left in van by her parents - Andrew and Shayna Sandstrom.
During an emergency protective care hearing held Friday, a judge ruled that the siblings will be in social services' custody but they can stay with their maternal grandmother for now.
Brian Melton
The Sandstroms' children were taken out of their home this week after caseworkers discovered what they call "extremely filthy conditions."
Mara Rausch, attorney for the Sandstroms, says the parents are asking for time to grieve. She says they'll continue to work on a case plan with social services.
Mara Rausch
Melton has not yet decided whether criminal charges could be filed in the death of Christiana. He says social workers hope to ultimately keep the family together.
