Ohio couple accused of abandoning 9-year-old adopted son

HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — A southwest Ohio man and his wife are charged with abandoning their 9-year-old adopted son after they returned the boy they had raised since infancy to the county.

Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser says Cleveland and Lisa Cox of Liberty Township were indicted Wednesday on one count each of nonsupport of dependents. The charges allege they recklessly abandoned or failed to provide adequate support for the boy. Authorities say the couple returned him to Butler County Children Services last month.

The Coxes did not immediately return calls to their home today.

Gmoser said an arrest warrant has been issued for the couple.

The prosecutor says they could be sentenced to six months in jail and fined $1,000 if convicted of the first-degree misdemeanor charge.