Grand Jury criticizes DCF in Nubia Barahona death

MIAMI (AP) -- A Miami-Dade County grand jury is urging that the Department of Children and Families adopt better training and investigative skills for employees in the aftermath of the horrific killing of a 10-year-old girl.

The jury's report released Monday says DCF must beef up its law enforcement training for investigators looking into child abuse allegations. The report says DCF hotline counselors must learn how to properly classify cases so the most serious are investigated quickly.  In the 29 page report, the Grand Jury said, "the state figuratively pulled the children out of the frying pan and threw them into the fire.  That is not how this system is supposed to work."

The grand jury examined the circumstances surrounding the death of 10-year-old Nubia Barahona. Her chemical-drenched body was found in the bed of a truck Feb. 14 along Interstate 95 in West Palm Beach. Her father and mother are charged with her killing. Both have pleaded not guilty.

The grand jury report makes 20 recommendations in all.

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