ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- A 54-year-old man was charged in the St. Joseph Superior Court with multiple counts of Child Molesting after an investigation from the St. Joseph County Special Victims Unit.

On Dec. 19, the St. Joseph County Police Department received a report from the Department of Child Services of a 5-year-old disclosing that they'd been molested by the 54-year-old Kenneth Cross.

According to court documents, during a forensic interview, the victim stated Cross took all his clothes off and touched them inappropriately and had sexual intercourse with them. The victim told investigators this occurred multiple times on different days.

The victim also told authorities Cross would make them take a bath or shower after each alleged incident. 

Documents state the incidents are believed to have begun in August when Cross started taking the victim swimming at a hotel in Mishawaka, during which the victim would spent the night at least twice.

Later, the victim would stay over on weekends at Cross' home in South Bend.

The victim's mother told police one of Cross' family members messaged her via Facebook, stating she should let Cross be around her children.

Cross is charged with three counts of Child Molesting where defendant is at least 21 years of age as a Level 1 Felony, and one count of Child Molesting as a Level 4 Felony.

Cross' initial hearing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026.