A couple in Minnesota, Darcy Cross, 57, and Heather Cross, 49, are facing serious charges after their 10-year-old daughter tragically died. The parents were arrested on September 17th.
The little girl, who had autism, reportedly died after getting trapped in her bed. Police were called to the family’s home in Pine River, Minnesota, on August 25th. When they arrived, Heather was trying to give CPR to her daughter. However, officers noticed signs that the girl had likely been dead for several hours.
Investigators also reported a strong, unpleasant smell in the girl’s bedroom. The room contained only a special safety bed and some dirty mattresses. Heather told police that this was normal for her daughter, who she described as having issues with bowel movements. She explained that both her daughters have autism and sleep problems, which is why they used safety beds.
Heather said she gave her daughter a bottle and medicine early in the morning before going back to sleep. She thought she heard the girls playing later. Darcy said he was mowing the lawn and came back to find his daughter dead, with her head stuck under the bed’s metal frame.
Darcy mentioned that the girls often stayed in their beds during the day, and they usually checked on them every few hours. But police believe the child was left alone for a very long time without anyone watching her.
Heather told police that she had never seen the bed frame broken. However, investigators found text messages where she sent pictures of the broken frame to Darcy days before the incident. When police examined the bed, they found that the metal poles holding the cage to the frame were broken.
A technician who supplied the bed said the damage to the poles looked like it had been there for a while. He also said that the couple bought replacement parts but didn’t ask the company for help with the repairs.
A social worker who visited the family said that Heather became angry when she suggested that the bed enclosure should only be used for sleeping. Heather allegedly told the social worker to leave. After the arrests, the couple’s other daughter was taken into protective custody.
The parents are also charged with a lesser offense of contributing to the need for child protection services. It’s not clear if they have lawyers yet. Their next court date is set for October 1st.
