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Two American Baptists from New Life Childrens Refuge still held in Haiti

Prayer — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:25:52 +0000

Two Americans remain detained in a Haiti prison following the release of eight people from the Baptist Missionary group from New Life Christian Refuge. The two still being held are Laura Silsby, 40, and Charisa Coulter, 24. They are being detained on charges of child kidnapping and criminal association.

Laura Silsby and Charisa Coulter were supposed to be questioned by the judge today (Feb 18th) but the process has been stalled. Laura Silsby was the one in charge of the group and Charisa was her assistant.

This all stemmed from the incident in late January, when the New Life Children’s Refuge Group picked up 33 children and attempted to across the border to the Dominican Republic to establish an orphanage. They were arrested at the border. Laura Silsby, head of New Life Children’s Refuge, told the AFP that the group’s aims were entirely altruistic. She told the AFP that “We came here literally to just help the children. Our intentions were good … We wanted to help those who lost parents in the quake or were abandoned.”

Baptist Group in Haiti has been charged with Child Kidnapping

Prayer — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:33:12 +0000

The Baptist group in Hati was charged with child kidnapping Thursday. The group of 10 Baptists had hoped that today would be the end to this ordeal, but instead, there is still a long road ahead. The prosecutor in the case feels there is enough evidence to build a criminal case.

The children were picked up last week by a Baptist group called New Life Children’s Refuge (based out of Idaho). They tried to take the 33 children across the border to the Dominican Republic to establish an orphanage. They were arrested at the border. Laura Silsby, head of New Life Children’s Refuge, told the AFP that the group’s aims were entirely altruistic. She told the AFP that “We came here literally to just help the children. Our intentions were good … We wanted to help those who lost parents in the quake or were abandoned.” Even though there were 10 people in the Baptist Group, it looks like Laura Silsby was the brains behind the events. Most of the other folks in the group were completely unaware.

U.S. authorities are currently monitoring the proceedings and open to discussing other legal avenues with the Haitians for the accused. For now, it looks like the Haitian government is dealing with the case on their own. The case is supposed to go before a judge within the next few months. It’s unclear if the American’s will be jailed during the whole time.

Children taken by Baptist Group being reunited with Parents

Prayer — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:50:18 +0000

The 33 Children taken by the Baptist Group in Haiti are being reunited with their families. In earlier reports it was thought that the children were all orphans. But it looks like some of the children are not orphans at all. Many of the children said that they had parents, so the current group caring for the children are searching for the parents. Some of the parents have already started coming in to reclaim their children.

Laura Silsby, head of New Life Children’s Refuge, told the AFP that the group’s aims were entirely altruistic. She told the AFP that “We came here literally to just help the children. Our intentions were good … We wanted to help those who lost parents in the quake or were abandoned.”

It is still unclear what the charges will be for the Baptist Group. They are currently being detained and may face a charge of criminal conspiracy in Haiti as well as possible charges of kidnapping minors and child-trafficking. It is also unclear what the US will do and how they will get involved. At this point, US consular has visited the Americans and given them food.

There is more to come on this story, so stay tuned.

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti.

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