Cops Excavate Yard of Father Accused of Attacking Son with Chemicals

Feb. 24, 2011— -- Police in Florida are digging up the backyard of the home belonging to Jorge Barahona, an adopted father of four accused of trying to kill one of his sons and the primary suspect in the death of his daughter.

Investigators would not say what they were looking for the in yard. Barahona, a 53-year-old exterminator, is accused of severely burning his 10-year-old son Victor Doctor with toxic chemicals. The body of the boy's twin sister Nubia was found in the man's truck, badly decomposed.

"This is part of an ongoing investigation. We're building a case and cannot comment," said West Palm Police spokesman Chase Scott.

Police found Victor on Feb. 14 covered in chemical burns and overcome by toxic fumes. Hours later in the bed of the pickup truck where Victor was found, authorities discovered the remains of Nubia Doctor, decomposing in a garbage bag.

Barahona has been charged with the attempted murder of Victor. No charges have been filed in Nubia's death.

A health department physician told a Miami family court on Wednesday that Victor could be released from the hospital as early as Friday.

"He's really doing well," Dr. Walter Lambert told the court.

Lambert said the boy was well enough to bathe himself, had asked about his parents and requested a hamburger.

"He has asked what I think are very good questions about what is going on," Lambert said.

Once released from the hospital, Victor will be placed in a therapeutic foster home. Officials hope to put the boy back in school, after being home schooled with his other siblings for over a year.

In the days since the children were found, the state has removed two other children, a girl named Jennifer, 7, and a boy named George, 11, from Barahona's home and placed them in protective foster care.

Jennifer is believed to have a tipped a relative off to the twin's abuse just days before they were found in Barahona's truck. That family member called the state's child abuse hotline to report the twins had been bound at their hands and feet, beaten and forced to stand in a bathtub.

At a hearing Wednesday, state officials said Jennifer and George had been deprived of medical and dental care, allegations similar to those found in documents released this week by the Florida Department of Children and Families reporting on Nubia's health.