Child allegedly abused, killed by adoptive parents honored

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- The 10-year-old girl who police said was beaten to death by her adoptive parents, is being remembered with a street dedication.

"Nubia Way" was unveiled Friday morning in honor of Nubia Docter, near the intersection of Southwest 117th Avenue and 47th Terrace. Nubia used to live on that block before she was the victim of deadly child abuse. "Nubia was an angel of God. She was an angel that came to this neighborhood," said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Javier Souto.

The girl's decomposing body was found doused with toxic chemicals in the back of a pickup truck on the side of Interstate 95 in West Palm Beach, on Feb. 14. Police arrested and charged Nubia's adoptive parents, Jorge and Carmen Barahona for tormenting and physically abusing Nubia and her twin brother, Victor. "Nubia's short life serves as a somber reminder that we must do all that we can to combat child abuse and prevent this from never happening again," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez.

At the dedication ceremony, Nubia's half-brother laid flowers below new signs that announced the launch of Miami-Dade County's new anti-child abuse campaign. The county is hoping to bring attention to a new abuse hotline. "This is not OK, and the idea that it's OK to beat your kids and everybody keeps a secret is not OK. I'm glad this county is taking it seriously, and hopefully, this will not occur in the future," said Nanette Badgor, who also attended the ceremony.

Officials said new legislation has been proposed in Tallahassee to revamp the system, and the way these abuse cases are investigated.

As a part of this new anti-child abuse campaign with the county, officials have set up a child abuse hotline: 1-800-962-2873.

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