Newsradio 1020 KDKA Editorial: Travesty of Justice
In March, 2012 –
Douglas and Kristen Barbour adopted a five year old boy –
And a thirteen month old girl – from Ethiopia.
Six months later – both children landed in Children's Hospital.
The boy had lost ten pounds
His temperature was only 93-point-6.
He had a skin infection from lying in his own urine.
The little girl had a severe brain injury –
And several femur and toe fractures that were healing.
The children were put in foster care –
And the Barbours were charged with abuse.
Just this past June – they pleaded "no contest" to endangering the welfare of children.
Douglas had two misdemeanor charges.
Kristen had two felony counts.
Last month –
Allegheny County Judge Jeffrey Manning gave Douglas Barbour five years probation.
Kristen Barbour got six to twelve months in jail –
But Judge Manning changed it this month –
So she can go home six days a week to care for their two biological children.
The judge says this case was an act of charity gone awry.
It wasn't.
Douglas and Kristen Barbour are well-educated –
Well-to-do –
Very religious –
White suburbanites –
Who brutalized –
And nearly killed –
Two helpless little children.
Judge Manning's decision is a travesty of justice.