Urgent Search Underway After Nine Kidnapped from Haitian Orphanage

Nine individuals, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, were abducted from a Port-au-Prince orphanage, raising alarms about the escalating gang violence that has paralyzed the region.

Nine individuals, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, were forcibly taken from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, early Sunday morning, as reported by local officials. Gena Heraty, the director of the orphanage who has lived in Haiti since 1993, confirmed her kidnapping in a phone call shortly after the incident. The armed group executed a calculated operation, entering the facility around 3:30 am without discharging any firearms, according to Mayor Massillon Jean.

The assailants reportedly broke through a wall to access the orphanage, which is home to over 240 children, some of whom are disabled. The attack reflects the ongoing threat posed by gangs that have increasingly targeted vulnerable institutions such as orphanages. Despite the growing danger, Ms. Heraty has previously expressed her commitment to staying in Haiti for the sake of the children, stating in an interview last year, "The children are why I'm still here. We're in this together."

Despite the seriousness of the situation, no ransom demands have been reported yet, while Ireland's foreign affairs department confirmed it is providing assistance in response to the kidnapping. The criminal landscape in Haiti remains dire, with reports indicating that armed groups control approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince. The United Nations has highlighted a severe uptick in kidnappings and violence, with nearly 350 people taken in just the first half of 2025 alone.

In light of the continuing violence, the UN Human Rights Office reported that at least 3,141 people were killed in Haiti during the same timeframe, with more than one million people internally displaced due to gang-related turmoil. As the search for the kidnapped individuals continues, the ongoing instability poses increased risks for all residents of the region, especially for children and vulnerable populations who are in dire need of protection and assistance.