A 47-year-old grandmother in Florida was arrested this week after she was allegedly found late at night pacing around in the street and screaming while holding her 3-year-old grandson — all while high on narcotics. Rebecca Cross was taken into custody early Monday and charged with one count of child neglect, records reviewed by Law&Crime show.
A copy of the probable cause affidavit obtained by Pensacola, Florida, ABC affiliate WEAR provided additional context about the circumstances leading to Cross’ arrest.
Rebecca Cross (Escambia County Jail)
According to the report, officers with the Pensacola Police Department at about 4 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 12 responded to a call regarding an adult woman who was walking around Wright Street, which is located on the state’s northwest tip, about 40 miles from its border with Alabama. The woman — who was said to be holding a small child — was reportedly described as being “in an excited state” and “screaming” that the toddler could not breathe.
Upon arriving at the scene, first responders reportedly said they were able to quickly locate the child. The toddler was wearing only a pajama top and bottom while it was windy and the temperature was about 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Officers said that the toddler was “cold to the touch” and appeared “extremely red and discolored,” per the report.
In the affidavit, police reportedly said the child’s condition indicated that he had been “outside in the cold for a long period of time.” The child was immediately transported to a hospital for a medical evaluation.
Per the report, police then learned that Cross was the child’s grandmother and that she had been the sole adult charged with his care since Friday, Dec. 8.
“Upon speaking with Cross, I observed her to be extremely excited and hysterical,” police reportedly wrote in the affidavit. “Cross was having difficulty focusing and remembering things, and had also urinated on herself. Cross’ eyes were also glassy, and her pupils were dilated. Based upon my prior training and experience, I believed Cross to be under the influence of an unknown narcotic.”
Following Cross’ arrest, police said the child was released into the custody of another individual who was not identified. Police also contacted the Florida Department of Children and Families regarding the incident.
Cross was transported to the Escambia County Jail and charged with child neglect. She is currently being held in lieu of $5,000 bond.
The Pensacola Police Department did not immediately respond to a message from Law&Crime seeking additional information in regards to Cross’ arrest.
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