WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Police said no significant evidence was found at the home of the man accused of killing his adoptive daughter, whose chemical-soaked body was found in a truck.
The search of the house belonging to Jorge and Carmen Barahona was prompted after a neighbor told authorities about a foul odor emanating from the dwelling for several weeks, The Miami Herald reported Wednesday.
Earlier this month, police found Jorge Barahona passed out in a truck parked on Interstate 95 in West Palm Beach, with one of his adoptive children, Victor, suffering from chemical burns, and Victor's twin sister, Nubia, dead and stuffed in a garbage bag in the flatbed. Both children were soaked with toxic chemicals.
Neighbors said they saw police digging in back yard near a rusted shed, and removing a lid from a metal container that could have been a septic tank. Cadaver-sniffing dogs also searched the yard.
Jorge Barahona was jailed in the Palm Beach County Jail without bail on attempted murder and aggravated child abuse charges. Police are investigating whether charges can be filed against Barahona's wife.
The doctor who leads the Florida Child Protection Team in Miami told a judge that Victor was improving at Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit and could be released as early as Friday, the Herald said.
"From a medical standpoint, he's doing very well," Walter Lambert told Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman, overseeing the state's custody of Victor and his two surviving adoptive siblings.
