Prosecutors Drop Deposition of 5-Year-Old Girl in Abuse Case Against Her Parents

Kristen and Douglas Barbour of Franklin Park are accused of abusing their adopted children.

The Allegheny County District Attorney's office decided not to take the deposition of a 5-year-old girl who may be a witness against her parents in a case involving the alleged abuse of their adopted children, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Judge Jeffrey A. Manning last week ordered the 2- and 5-year-old biological children returned to their parents, Kristen and Douglas Barbour of Franklin Park, but only after the older child's testimony was recorded. The Barbours face charges they abused the two children they adopted from Ethiopia last year.  Deputy District Attorney Laura Ditka planned to take a videotaped deposition of the 5-year-old on Tuesday, however, she told the judge she did not want to scare the child, the newspaper …

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Franklin Park Couple to Stand Trial in Abuse Case Involving Adopted Children

Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General Douglas Barbour, 33, and his wife, Kristen Barbour, 30, appear at a preliminary hearing in Leetsdale District Court.

A Franklin Park couple has been ordered to stand trial after waiving a preliminary hearing today on charges of abusing and starving two children they adopted from Ethiopia nearly a year ago.  Prosecutors dropped two aggravated assault charges against Douglas Barbour, 33, who appeared in Leetsdale District Court alongside his wife, Kristen Barbour, 30, of Cole Road for a preliminary hearing. Douglas Barbour, a Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General, has been suspended from his state job without pay since he and his wife were arrested Oct. 4. He'll stand trial on two counts each of simple assault, endangering the welfare of children and reckless endangerment.  Kristen Barbour will stand trial on one count of simple assault and two counts each …

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Franklin Park Couple Face New Charges in Child-Abuse Case

Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General Douglas Barbour and his wife, Kristen Barbour, remain free on bond in case involving two adopted children from Ethiopia.

A Franklin Park couple accused of physically abusing and starving two children they adopted from Ethiopia in March now face additional charges.  Prosecutors amended charges today against Douglas Barbour, 33, and his wife, Kristen Barbour, 30, of Cole Road, at a preliminary hearing scheduled before District Judge Robert Ford in Leetsdale. As a result of the new charges, defense attorneys asked that the preliminary hearing for the couple again be postponed. A new court date is set for Jan. 18.  Among the new charges filed was an additional count of aggravated assault related to the Barbour's 6-year-old adopted son. The charge is based on allegations that the couple withheld food from the child, said Douglas Barbour's defense attorney, …

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Update: Franklin Park Couple Accused of Abusing Adopted Children Ask Judge for Visitation Rights

Douglas and Kristen Barbour, through their attorney, deny the charges.

A Franklin Park couple accused of physically abusing and starving two children they adopted from Ethiopia in March will be permitted supervised visitation with their two biological children, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports. Douglas Barbour, 33, and his wife, Kristen Barbour, 30, of Cole Road, Wexford, are charged with two counts each of endangering the welfare of children and one count each of aggravated assault. Douglas Barbour, a Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General, is also charged with simple assault, court documents show.   Barbour has been suspended from his state job without pay, Attorney General Linda Kelly said in a statement after the couple's arrest Oct. 4. The Barbours were in court to ask for visitation and also to have …

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Patch Pet of the Week

Bruce and Josie Are Waiting to be Adopted

These two best friends need to find a home together.

Bruce and Josie are gentle, sweet, 7-year-old Shepherd mixes who are waiting for someone to adopt them from Animal Friends. This brother and sister are easy-going on their leashes and playful without being overly excitable. Bruce especially loves a good cuddle. They currently amuse the Animal Friends staff with their antics in their multi-dog suite. The shelter would love to see these two best friends find a home together. What are you waiting for? Stop by Animal Friends and meet them soon, or call the shelter at 412-847-7002.

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Tony and Lauren Dungy to Raise Adoption Awareness at Super Bowl

Super Bowl party organizers are encouraged to download a free video kit featuring the winning Super Bowl coach to share on game day with party guests.

As football fans gather today to watch the Giants take on the Patriots, winning Super Bowl Coach Tony Dungy is hoping to spread a personal message in households across the country. A free downloadable video kit is available online for local game-watching party organizers, which features Coach Dungy and his wife Lauren, an Edgeworth native and former Edgeworth Elementary teacher.  The couple, who have adopted, will greet thousands of football fans entering the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI with a 30-second public service announcement they recorded. Their personal appeal frames the current orphan crisis and the need for broader adoption awareness. The Dungys are involved with The Adoption Journey Project, a group of …

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'Patch Pets' Find Loving Homes

This year Patch partnered with Animal Friends to help find forever homes for several dogs, cats and rabbits. Here's a look at where they are now.

Ever wonder what happened to Mr. McGregor the rabbit? Or Tippy the dog? Earlier this year Patch partnered with the Ohio Township-based shelter Animal Friends to help find loving adoptive homes for a host of animals in need. We're happy to report that many of our furry friends have landed with new families after being featured as the Patch Pet of the Week on our sites!  So to mark the end of 2011, here's a look back on where some of those animals are now. Readers can also check back each weekend to see the latest pet of the week or follow Animal Friends on its new Patch blog.   For more information on adopting a pet through Animal Friends, contact the adoption desk at 412-847-7002 to arrange a meeting, or visit www.ThinkingOutsideTheCage.…

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Patch Pet of the Week

Charlene Needs a Relaxing, Forever Home

Charlene needs a forever home with someone who understands her special needs.

Charlene was adopted from Animal Friends many years ago as a healthy young dog. She developed insulin-dependent diabetes earlier this year. Her adopter cared for her until recently, when events in his own life meant he no longer could care for his beloved companion, and he returned her to Animal Friends. Shelter staffers have been caring for Char there, and she has been an excellent resident and patient. She is ready to find her forever home with someone who understands her special needs. Char is 10, but she has aged well. She has matured into a lovely dog who still has plenty of energy for walks and play time, yet she is happy to relax and lounge around in down time. Char did not live with other animals in her previous home, but she has …

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Patch Pet of the Week

Patch Pets: Meet Happy, Playful Dapple

Animal Friends' humane officers confiscated this gorgeous short-haired white cat due to neglect in a hoarding situation.

Meet Dapple, a gorgeous short-haired white cat with beautiful blue eyes. Animal Friends' humane officers confiscated Dapple due to neglect in a hoarding situation. In spite of the challenges in her life, Dapple is a happy, healthy and very playful girl. Once she knows that she can trust you, Dapple is a perfect mix of playful and affectionate. She loves to be scratched under her chin and on her neck, and she sometimes rolls over for belly scratches. Dapple loves people, dogs, and other cats—especially Damsel, Dainty, and Dervish, the cats who live with her. She loves playing with all cat toys, especially wand toys, toy balls, catnip, scratching posts and laser pointers. Please give beautiful, playful Dapple a second look and ask one of the…

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