Welfare Case Against Father Who Abandoned Son Closed
HASTINGS, Minn. (WCCO) -- The child welfare case against a Lakeville, Minn. dad who abandoned his 11-year-old son last year has been closed.
Dakota County Attorney announced that, based on the recommendation of social workers and guardians, the county juvenile court has terminated its jurisdiction against Steven Cross.
Cross was convicted of one count of gross misdemeanor child neglect, after leaving his son alone on July 18, 2011. Cross' home had been lost in foreclosure and police say he left behind letters telling the boy, Sebastian Cross, to go to a neighbor's home and ask if they would become his legal guardian.
Steven Cross was sentenced to 45 days in jail, and received a stay of execution for the remaining days. He had already served 32 days at the time of the sentencing.
The court ordered Cross to pay an $80 fine and restitution costs of $2,520.
The Dakota County Attorney said that Sebastian Cross is living with his mother now and "continues to work on his relationship with his father."
