by Children Without a Voice USA (CWAV, USA) on Tuesday, 30 August 2011 at 17:16
"It's about the journey - mine and yours - and the lives we can touch, the legacy we can leave, and the world we can change for the better." ~NFL Legend Tony Dungy
Your action needed!
10 Year Old Murdered, Twin Brother doused in Toxic Chemicals, Adoptive Parents Arrested, Palm Beach County, Florida
Nubia BarahonaMIAMI (CBS4) - Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty against Jorge and Carmen Barahona who are accused of torturing two of their adopted children and killing their adopted daughter 10-year old Nubia.
Originally the Barahonas had been charged with first degree murder in the death of Nubia and seven counts each of aggravated child abuse and neglect for their treatment of her and her twin brother Victor. Last week they were indicted by a grand jury which brought three more charges including a new count of neglect involving another of the couple's adopted children, an 11-year old boy.
The couple was formally arraigned Monday before Judge Sarah Zabel, both pled not guilty. In the courtroom, Jorge Barahona was wearing a green padded gown worn by prisoners on suicide watch. Both Carmen and Jorge Barahona had tried to waive this appearance, but Judge Zabel wanted them present so prosecutor Gail Levine could announce the state's decision concerning the death penalty in front of them. The decision was not unexpected. Three weeks ago, when additional charges were added in this case, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle told CBS4's Gary Nelson, "If there ever was a case for the death penalty, it would be this one."
Carmen Barahona stared silently during the announcement while her husband shed tears; his public defender described him as emotionally unstable.
Also in attendance at the hearing was Joanne Muniz who said she came to represent Nubia who used to go to Blue Lakes Elementary School with her son.
"It's horrible, it's horrible," said Muniz. "It's terrible I was thinking I'm sitting in a court room waiting to see two people to come out, and waiting to hear what they've been charged with, people who have done something terrible to a child." Muniz told CBS4's Peter D'Oench, "I'm here for her, Nubia. It's important to remember the children who are at the core of this case. The children who are no longer here. I think in future we have to be more vigilant to prevent something from happening and even stay in touch with school administrators too."
Muniz said the Barahonas "look aged in court. They have a very frail look."
The Barahonas will likely remain behind bars until their trials because the murder charges against them carry no bond. A trial date of July 18th has been set.
According to Miami-Dade investigators the Barahonas beat Nubia to death in their home after a long history of abuse of both of her and her brother Victor. They often bound the children hand and foot, police claim, and forced them to sit in a bathtub for days on end.
In addition to the charges in Miami-Dade, Jorge Barahona has also been charged with attempted murder in Palm Beach County. Last Valentine's Day he was found in the front seat of his truck parked along I-95 in West Palm Beach along with Victor who was having a seizure. Police said the boy was suffering from severe chemical burns. In the back of the truck investigators found the decomposing body of Nubia.
The abuse of the twins was overlooked by caseworkers for the Department of Children and Families, despite a number of warning events. This prompted a blue-ribbon panel investigation, and a promise by DCF to change a number of procedures to help prevent cases like the Barahonas' from falling through the cracks. Victor and two other children adopted by the Barahonas have been placed in foster care. Barahona's attempted murder trial in Palm Beach County is set for January 30th, 2012.
Both CASES ARE BEING TRIED IN SEPERATE COUNTIES AS BOTH OCCURED AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
NOTE TO ADVOCATE, WE ARE ONLY DOING AN AA FOR THE MOTHER'S CASE AT THIS TIME. WE HAVE ALREADY DONE AN AA FOR THE FATHER SEVERAL MONTHS BACK. THANK YOU!
Mother: Gail Levine is prosecutor handling Def Carmin Barahona in Miami (she killed the girl), 305-547-0100
debbiegromosaik@miami.sao.com
SAMPLE EMAIL:
(Please put defendant(s) name(s) in the subject heading of your email and mark high priority.
Dear Prosecutor Levine,
I would like to thank you for your public service and ask you to pursue maximum prosecutorial efforts and, upon conviction, maximum sentencing in the horrific abuse cases involving defendant Carmin Barahona
Children are the world's greatest natural resource and should be protected above all else on earth. We must send a loud message to the entire nation that child abuse of any kind and all crimes against children will no longer be tolerated!
Five CHILDREN DIE EACH DAY in America from neglect or abuse. There are nearly 3 million cases reported each year BUT, the Department of Justice says the number of abuse cases is actually 3 times higher, nearer to 9 million, as most go unreported. The effects of child abuse costs our nation over $100 billion per year.
Abuse is a willful act and 100% preventable through law enforcement and education. Americans want zero tolerance for all crimes against children and mandated parenting classes! We will be following this case.
Thank you for your public service,
Your Name,
Child Advocate
Child Advocate,
One Trial Coordinator needed to help follow up for when cases are going to trial. Approximately 2 hours a week, at your own pace. MUST HAVE excellent TIME MANAGEMENT AND verbal communications skills. Mostly emails, some phone calls. Must BE DEDICATED TO THIS CAUSE. PLEASE FILL OUT AN APPLICATION ON OUR WEBSITE'S VOLUNTEER PAGE.
We send 2-3 of these Action Alerts a week and it only takes a minute of your time. We thank you very much for your advocacy!
If you find it DIFFICULT to read these cases, then don't! Instead, simply skip the story BUT do send a quick email (sample email below the story) to the attorney listed. From the bottom of our hearts, CWAV thanks you and please, never stop being their voice.
SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS ALERT, COPY THE SAMPLE EMAIL, CLICK ON THE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR THE PROSECUTOR, PASTE THE EMAIL AND CLICK SEND. IF YOU HAVE TIME, PLEASE PUT YOUR EMAIL IN YOUR OWN WORDS. SIGN THE EMAIL, WITH YOUR NAME AND, "CHILD ADVOCATE". IN CAPTITAL MURDER CASES, PLEASE LET YOUR FEELINGS BE KNOWN REGARDING THE DEATH PENALTY.
PLEASE EMAIL YOUR CONTACTS AND ASK THEM TO BECOME A CHILD ADVOCATE TODAY BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR ACTION ALERTS. IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE OF THEIR TIME TO SEND AN ATTORNEY AN EMAIL. THE LINK IS
http://www.childrenwithoutavoiceusa.org/cms/node/21
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