Father of girl killed at Phoenix daycare speaks out

PHOENIX - The father of Savannah Cross, who has died after injuries at a Phoenix home daycare center, is speaking out to ABC15.

Stephen Cross says he is still coming to grips with all that has happened. 

"Savannah was my miracle. My only child. I just want to bring her back home for burial," said Cross who lives in Colorado.

He plans on coming to the Valley in the next few days to retrieve his daughter's body.

Police believe provider Ryan Reed stomped on Savannah's stomach on Monday night and left her in agony until Tuesday morning when she was barely breathing.

Investigators found bruises on her body, too many to count and at different levels of healing, which means they happened over a period of time. Allison Clements admitted to police, she saw Reed abuse the girl on several occasions but did nothing to stop him and did not report it.

"I'm disgusted,  Nobody should lay a hand of a child," Cross said.

Cross says he is giving Savannah's mother Ashley Dotalli the benefit of the doubt, even after reports she left Savannah at the daycare for weeks at a time.

There is a memorial fund to help bury Savannah. You can make donations to the Savannah Cross Memorial Fund.  Pueblo Bank & Trust.  200 F Street.  Salida, CO.  81201.  719-539-6696.