A Dakota County judge rejected an effort by a Lakeville father accused of abandoning his son that sought to stop child-protection services for the boy.
The father, Steven Alexander Cross, 60, argued that the county didn't meet "its burden of proof" showing that his son, Sebastian, was abandoned and needed help when he left the boy with neighbors and ran off to California.
But District Judge Richard Spicer ruled Thursday that there were sufficient findings for Social Services to get involved and seek a child-protection petition.
The next review hearing in the case is set for Dec. 21.
Cross could see his son before then if a psychological evaluation recommends the visits and Social Services agrees to the meetings, Spicer said earlier this week. The boy is living in foster care with his maternal aunt. He has regular visits with his mother, Katik Porter, 38.
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Cross abandoned his son July 18 in their Lakeville home, according to a criminal complaint charging Cross with gross misdemeanor child neglect. The family lost the home the following week in a foreclosure.
Cross fled to California, where he lived in his van and worked in a deli until police arrested him in August, officials have said.
Authorities returned Cross to Minnesota. He remained in the Dakota County Jail in Hastings until Sept. 29, when he posted $6,000 bail.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
