Woman charged with leaving child in car

By AMY HERDY

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 17, 2000

Sheriff's deputies charged a Thonotosassa woman with felony child neglect after she left her 8-year-old daughter in a parked car while she worked as an escort at a bar.

Teri Cross, 31, of 10555 Bay Hills Drive, remained in jail Wednesday in lieu of $1,000 bail.

Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Rod Reder said that about 9 p.m. Tuesday Cross drove her daughter, who was visiting her from out of state, to the Arts Lounge at 10816 U.S. 92 in Seffner.

Once at the bar, Reder said, the mother "told the daughter she had a couple of dates, and to go to sleep."

About 2 a.m., Reder said, sheriff's deputies received a tip and found the sleeping girl curled up in the back seat of the car.

Although the doors were locked, he said, the windows were down far enough for someone to reach into the car.

The mother was found inside the bar.

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