Irish Missionary, 3-Year-Old Among 9 Kidnapped from Haitian Orphanage

Port-au-Prince, Haiti — Tension and heartbreak grip Haiti once again as nine people, including a three-year-old child and an Irish missionary, were abducted by armed men from an orphanage near the capital on Sunday afternoon.

The kidnapped missionary has been identified as Gena Heraty, the long-time director of the Sainte-Hélène Orphanage and a respected figure who has served in Haiti since 1993. The facility, run by the charity Our Little Brothers and Sisters, is home to more than 240 children, many of them with disabilities.

Reports are that gang members stormed the facility around 3:30 p.m., grabbing Heraty and eight others, including a small child. The abduction has sparked fear and outrage both locally and internationally.

Heraty reportedly called her organization shortly after the incident to confirm she had been kidnapped. According to international wire service AFP, there have been no ransom demands or public statements made by the kidnappers so far.

The Haitian newspaper Le Nouvelliste is reporting that criminal gangs—who have terrorized communities with increasing kidnappings—are suspected to be behind the attack.

The Sainte-Hélène orphanage, located in the Kenscoff area, has long been a symbol of hope for Haiti’s most vulnerable children. Now, it stands at the center of yet another shocking act of lawlessness, in a country where kidnappings have become all too common.