"Two accused of abandoning boy in Ohio plead not guilty" by LISA CORNWELL | Associated Press, November 28, 2013
HAMILTON, Ohio — A southwest Ohio couple accused of abandoning the adopted 9-year-old son they raised from infancy by giving him to child welfare officials pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
Cleveland Cox, 49, and Lisa Cox, 52, are charged with nonsupport of dependents. Authorities allege the couple left the boy with children’s services after saying he was displaying aggressive behavior and earlier threatened the family with a knife. The trial is scheduled for Feb. 10.
A defense attorney and prosecutor declined to comment after the hearing in Butler County Common Pleas Court. County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser, has said there are legal consequences to what he called ‘‘reckless’’ abandonment.
The couple had been scheduled for a hearing in juvenile court later Wednesday on a civil complaint filed by the county’s children’s services agency. The magistrate granted a request by the couple’s attorney, Anthony VanNoy, to delay that hearing until after the criminal case is concluded.
The couple could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted.
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