Minnesota Parents Face Second-Degree Murder Charges After 10-Year-Old With Autism Found Crushed in 'Safety Bed'

Authorities in Minnesota have upgraded charges against Heather Lynn Cross and Darcy Ronald Cross after prosecutors allege their 10-year-old daughter — who had autism and was nonverbal — was crushed inside a so-called "safety bed" and left unattended for hours.

Charges And Allegations

An amended probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE says Heather, 50, and Darcy, 57, now each face two counts of second-degree murder. They also face four counts each of wrongfully obtaining assistance by false statements, concealment, or impersonation related to benefits paid through the MnCHOICES program. The couple was initially charged with manslaughter following the child's death and still face that charge in court records.

Investigation Details

Law enforcement responded to the family's Pine River home on Aug. 25, 2025. First responders reported finding Heather performing CPR on the child; an officer observed the girl's legs were stiff and that she appeared to be in rigor mortis, suggesting she had been deceased for hours before help arrived. Investigators described the bedroom as having an "overpowering odor" consistent with urine and feces and containing a safety bed and several soiled mattresses.

Allegations About The 'Safety Bed'

The affidavit alleges the child had been placed in a safety bed from which she was "unable to unzip the covering" and "unable to get out of the bed," leaving her effectively confined. Authorities say the child had been diagnosed with pica and sometimes pulled trim off walls and ate sheetrock, and that she was nonverbal.

MnCHOICES Fraud Allegations

Separately, prosecutors allege Heather and Darcy misrepresented the needs and behaviors of their surviving daughter to obtain larger MnCHOICES payments. According to the affidavit, school staff and care providers observed behaviors that were not consistent with the parents' descriptions beginning in 2022; prosecutors claim the misrepresentations produced overpayments that exceeded $20,000 per year from 2022 through 2025.

Aftermath And Current Status

After the victim's death, the surviving daughter was placed in the custody of child protective services; her name has not been released because of her age. Heather and Darcy were arrested on Sept. 17, 2025. All charges at this stage are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Note: Details in this article are based on an amended probable cause affidavit and reporting by PEOPLE. Court records and investigations may change as the case proceeds.