Barahona A "No Show" At Custody Hearing

MIAMI (CBS4) - The adoptive mother of a 10-year-old girl, who was found dead in a pickup truck on Valentine's Day along with her severely burned twin brother, failed to show up for a Wednesday afternoon custody status hearing.

Carmen Barahona's children were placed in foster care by Judge Cindy Lederman in a court hearing last week.

During Wednesday's hearing, a case worker of the Department of Children and Families said that the children are receiving psychological "trauma treatment."  The only sign of neglect, other than Victor's severe burns, is that all the children have bad teeth and lots of cavities.

According to Dr. Walter Lambert, Victor, who remains in the Jackson Burn Unit, is "doing very, very well."  Lambert reports that when doctors removed his breathing tube, Victor said "he wanted a hamburger," making a point of noting that he "doesn't like mustard."

With Carmen Barahona absent, the hearing lasted less than 15 minutes.  Judge Lederman ruled that all three of Barahona's adopted children are to remain in the custody of the state.

During the hearing, the stated goal for the kids was to get them back to a regular classroom environment and life as normal as possible given the circumstances.

Meanwhile, the children's father, Jorge Barahona, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse with a weapon.

Jorge Barahona has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.