Minn. Father To Dispute Claim He Abandoned Son
HASTINGS, Minn. (AP) -- A Minnesota father plans to dispute allegations that he abandoned his 11-year-old son.
Sixty-year-old Steven Cross of Lakeville appeared Monday in Dakota County court on a gross misdemeanor of child neglect. Chief Judge Edward Lynch scheduled a hearing for Jan. 4.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports if the case isn't resolved, Cross will go to trial Jan. 23.
A criminal complaint alleges Cross abandoned his son July 18 after their house was lost in foreclosure. Cross left behind letters telling the boy to go to a neighbor's house and asking the family to become his son's guardian.
Authorities arrested Cross Aug. 29 in California. He was released from Dakota County jail last week on $6,000 bail.
The boy now is living in foster care with his maternal aunt.
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