Carmen Barahona, Adoptive Mother of Florida Twins, Arrested UPDATED

By on 3-05-2011 in Abuse in adoption, Abuse in foster care, Carmen Barahona, Florida, How could you? Hall of Shame, Jorge Barahona, Nubia Barahona, Victor Barahona

Carmen Barahona, Adoptive Mother of Florida Twins, Arrested UPDATED

Carmen Barahona was arrested by Miami-Dade Police on Saturday March 5, 2011. She and her husband Jorge will face “first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and child neglect for the slaying of Nubia.”

She went to police headquarters voluntarily on Friday March 4.

“Last week, Carmen Barahona filed for divorce against her husband. The woman’s lawyer said Carmen had been the victim of domestic violence for much of her marriage, and should not be held responsible for what occurred inside the Barahona’s West Miami-Dade home. Carmen asked for custody of her three surviving adoptive children, though the children all are under the supervision of DCF, which has placed them in area foster homes.”

Miami-Dade Police Make Arrests in Barahona Case
[The Miami Herald 3/5/11 by David Ovalle and Carol Marbin Miller]

Update: Appearing via closed-circuit TV to a judge for only a few minutes, Carmen Barahona was “charged with murder, seven counts of aggravated assault and child abuse, and seven counts of child neglect. The judge did not set bail for murder charge.”

There was no family or private lawyer. A public defender was set to meet with her afterwards.

A press conference by the Miami-Dade police was set for Monday morning.

No Bail Set For Twins’ Adoptive Mother in Murder Case
[Sun-Sentinel 3/6/11 by Jaweed Kaleem of The Miami Herald]

Update 2: The Miami-Dade County grand jury indicts Jorge and Carmen “on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and child neglect in the slaying of their adopted 10-year-old daughter, Nubia.

Police had already charged the couple with the murder of Nubia.”
“Authorities had originally charged the Barahonas with first-degree murder and seven counts each of aggravated child abuse and child neglect.

The grand jury indictment added three more charges that include a neglect count for the husband and wife relating to a third child, the couple’s 11-year-old adopted son.

In addition, Jorge Barahona was charged with another abuse count for allegedly punching Victor in the lip, and a felony charge for the alleged abuse to Nubia’s corpse.”

“Investigators say that the twins suffered hellish abuse at the hands of their parents at their West Miami-Dade, tied hand and foot, confined to a bathtub, beaten, starved and tortured. The girl was beaten with a “shoe,” “broom” or “whip,” according to the indictment.”

Miami-Dade grand jury indicts Barahonas .
[The Miami Herald 3/23/11 by David Ovalle]

Update 3: During Jorge’s and Carmen’s joint appearance, prosecutors stated that they will seek the death penalty.
Miami couple denies abuse, murder of girl
[UPI 3/28/11]

Update 4: ” State’s evidence was released to the media on November 2, 2011 following an October 6, 2011 ruling that would allow some evidence to be released. Hundreds of photographs were released. See the video at Photos released of Barahona home [Local 10 11/2/11]

“Detectives believe Nubia was murdered in the Barahona’s bedroom days earlier. A cutting from the Barahona’s mattress is seen among the evidence photos.
Other evidence photos include a darkened room where detective’s chemicals illuminated remnants of bloodstains otherwise invisible; Nubia’s bedroom, messy and filled with stuffed animals and religious art; and, the home’s front door with several locks on it.
The evidence released included a hand drawn map of the house, initialed by Carmen, indicating where the twins would have time out and be tied up. Her bedroom contains stick figures in prone positions, which could be considered a graphic confession of abuse.”
And this important piece:
“Her verbal confession to detectives has been redacted from the evidence made public, according to a judge’s ruling.”
We mentioned in an August 25, 2011 update here that statements made by Jorge and Carmen about the case would remain sealed.
Originally, they were to go on trial on July 18, 2011. In June 2011, the trial was postponed and the status hearing was scheduled for October 6, 2011, the result of which was this evidence being shared
Photos released in Barahona Case [NBC Miami 11/2/11]
Jorge and Carmen Tried Separately?
“A Miami-Dade judge will decide whether Carmen and Jorge Barahona, charged in the torture-murder slaying of their adopted 10-year-old daughter Nubia, should be tried separately.
It is not unusual for co-defendants to be tried by jury separately if they give statements to police that could incriminate the other. In this case, prosecutors have not decided whether they will use the Barahonas’ statements, although Miami-Dade Assistant State Attorney Gail Levine told the judge Tuesday she “is leaning toward not using” them as evidence.
Carmen and Jorge Barahona are accused of torturing and murdering Nubia, their adopted 10-year-old daughter, inside their West Miami-Dade house. Her twin brother, Victor, was starved, tortured and beaten, prosecutors say.
Defense attorneys for the Barahonas had asked Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Sarah Zabel to try the two separately.”
“Prosecutors and a lawyer acting as a guardian for Victor said they don’t want separate trials because of the toll it could take on Victor, who is living with relatives in Texas. Victor could also testify in the attempted murder case against Jorge Barahona in Palm Beach County.
The children in this case, especially Victor, “have been through such horrible circumstances that everything possible to minimize any additional trauma should be considered,” Frances Feinberg, of Florida’s Guardian Ad Litem program, wrote in a court motion.
Although Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Sarah Zabel told lawyers she may rule by late Tuesday, a trial is likely years away. “

Miami-Dade judge considers trying Carmen and Jorge Barahona separately

[The Miami Herald 11/8/11 by David Ovalle]
“A judge has decided to wait on whether to try the Miami couple accused of beating their adoptive daughter together or separately, it was ruled Wednesday.
Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Sarah Zabel deferred a defendant’s motion to hold two separate trials against Carmen and Jorge Barahona, until it gets closer to the trial date.”
“The motion was filed as prosecutors decide whether to use statements allegedly made by the Barahonas against each other, though prosecutors said Tuesday they were leaning towards not using the statements at trial.”

 

“Photos were also released on Wednesday, showing the twins during a birthday party, Nubia playing with another girl, playing in a house, dressed up in costumes and other events. Jorge and Carmen Barahona are also in some photos.

Previously, the state attorney’s office had released photos of the crime scene and the Barahona home, including a bathtub where prosecutors say the twins were bound at their hands and feet and held for months as they were beaten and starved.”

Judge Delays Decision on Separating Barahona Trial

[NBC Miami 11/9/11 by Brian Hamacher]
See Also Jorge’s Trial Information here
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