Report: Franklin Park Couple Facing Trial on Child Abuse Charges Allowed to Move

A Franklin Park couple accused of physically abusing and starving two children they adopted from Ethiopia last March are moving to Mercer County, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. 

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning Wednesday approved a change-of-residence request by Douglas and Kristen Barbour, who plan to live with Mr. Barbour's parents in Mercer County.

Mr. Barbour's attorney, Charles Porter, told the P-G the family needs to move for financial reasons.

Barbour, a deputy Pennsylvania Attorney General, was suspended without pay after the couple's arrest on Oct. 4.

According to the criminal complaint, the Barbours are accused of starving their adopted 6-year-old son and leaving him with lesions from being kept in urine-soaked clothing for long periods of time. 

Their 18-month-old adopted daughter will likely remain permanently blind in one eye and paralyzed after suffering abusive head trauma, according to the criminal complaint. 

A doctor determined she had suffered multiple hemorrhages, fractures and injuries to both eyes and had been a victim of physical abuse, including abusive head trauma, the complaint states.

The couple also has two biological children. They are not accused of abusing them.

Their trial is scheduled for July 9.

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