Police: Body In Truck Identified As Driver's Adopted Daughter

Police: Body In Truck Identified As Driver's Daughter - West Palm Beach News Story - WPBF West Palm Beach

Adoptive Father Charged With Aggravated Child Abuse

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A body found in the back of a pest control truck on the side of Interstate 95 is the daughter of the driver who was found unconscious outside the vehicle, according to a police report.
Jorge Barahona, 53, of Miami, was charged with child abuse Wednesday. He remains hospitalized at Columbia Hospital and is scheduled to have his first court appearance on Thursday.
According to the report, Barahona admitted to traveling north on I-95 after he placed his dead daughter, Nubia, in a plastic bag, which he put in the truck. Barahona said he was accompanied by his 10-year-old son, Victor.
Photos: Timeline Of Events
Barahona said he was distraught over the death of his daughter and intended to commit suicide, according to the report. The report did not say how the girl died.
The report said he pulled over north of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and gave a handful of sleeping pills to his son and told him to take them so he could sleep.
Barahona told police his son was on his lap as he poured gasoline over his own head and that he intended to ignite a lighter to set himself on fire, but he couldn't do it in front of his son, the report said.
Police, however, said Barahona's injuries were not consistent with the injuries to the boy.

A pest control truck where a body was found inside remains on the side of Interstate 95 in West Palm Beach days after the driver and a 10-year-old boy were taken to hospitals.
Officials said a caller to the Department of Children and Families abuse hotline reported last week that the children were being bound with duct tape.
Barahona was found unconscious near the pest control truck Monday morning. His son was found inside the truck, apparently severely burned by a strong acid-based chemical.
Officials said both Barahona and the boy inhaled some of the chemical.
The boy was transferred from St. Mary's Medical Center to the burn unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami on Wednesday, when he was listed in critical condition, with his burns getting worse and doctors unsure what chemical was used.
Hazardous materials crews working to remove the acid substance also found a body inside of a bag in the truck Monday night.
Barahona's Other 2 Children In Foster Care

Barahona's other two children were removed from their grandparents' home and placed into protective custody by the Florida Department of Children and Families on Tuesday. DCF officials said they had responded to reports of child abuse at the Barahona's house in Miami before.

During a DCF hearing Wednesday, a judge ruled that the children be placed in therapeutic foster care. It was also determined that one of the children is autistic.
The truck still remained at the crime scene along I-95 on Wednesday afternoon.
An autopsy was being conducted on the girl's body.