August 2011 Archives
Michael Cross, 42, and Melissa Swanson, 34, are each charged with felony cruelty to a child causing death, though the prosecution has noted it is reviewing additional charges.
The couple were arrested Aug. 12, a day after Long Beach police and paramedics responded to a 911 call to their home in the 600 block of Magnolia Avenue to find Michaela Cross already dead.
A preliminary coroner's report listed the baby's cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and noted the fatal injury was likely inflicted a week prior to the child's death, authorities said.
Tuesday's court hearing was postponed to allow time for a new defense attorney for Swanson to review the case.
Both defendants are scheduled to return to the Long Beach Superior Sept. 30.
Cross and Swanson are being held in lieu of $1 million bail each.
Five Long Beach Police Department members and five members of the Long Beach Fire Department will compete with more than 15,000 other police officers and firefighters from more than 70 countries at this year's games, which will be held in New York from Aug. 26-Sept. 5.
All proceeds from the games benefit two New York charities- the Police Athletic League and the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation. Employees participating in the games volunteer their time and pay their own expenses. Honorary Members of the Long Beach Police Officers' Association assisted in paying the registration fees of the police employees.
LBPD employees competing in the games are:
Sergeant Paul Esko - beach volleyball
Detective Ana Maria Gill - javeline, discus, and shot put
Detective David A. Jones - trap, skeet and sporting clays
Officer Tina Louise Icorn - police action pistol
Officer Danielle Quinones - softball
LBFD employees competing on the same ice hockey team are:
Fire Capt. Matt Block
Engineer Cory Girard
Firefighter Tyler Viana
Firefighter John Aiello
Paramedic Matt Bolen
With the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks this year, there will be a "5k World Trade Center Run to Remember" and a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the lives lost, as well as special events to thank the international community for their support during that time.
For more information on the event check out www.2011wpfg.org.
