The Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, Haiti, witnessed a grim kidnapping incident involving nine people, including Gena Heraty, an Irish missionary, and a toddler. This alarming event underscores the escalating gang violence in Port-au-Prince, as the local community grapples with systemic insecurity and displacement.
Kidnapping Crisis: Irish Missionary and Toddler Snatched from Haitian Orphanage
Kidnapping Crisis: Irish Missionary and Toddler Snatched from Haitian Orphanage
In a calculated attack, nine individuals, including a dedicated Irish missionary and a three-year-old girl, were abducted from an orphanage in Haiti, highlighting the ongoing crisis of gang violence in the region.
In a troubling incident that has further highlighted the escalating violence in Haiti, nine individuals, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, were kidnapped from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, a suburb of Port-au-Prince. The hostage situation unfolded in the early hours of Sunday morning, with reports indicating that the attackers, believed to be gang members, orchestrated a planned invasion by breaking through a wall.
According to local authorities, Gena Heraty, the director of the orphanage, was among those taken hostage. The facility, which supports over 240 children, is notable for caring for many children with disabilities. Mayor Massillon Jean confirmed that the incident took place around 3:30 AM local time and emphasized that no shots were fired during the break-in.
Veteran missionary Heraty has lived and worked in Haiti since 1993, earning numerous accolades for her humanitarian efforts, including the Oireachtas Human Dignity Award. Before her abduction, she had expressed her commitment to staying in Haiti despite the risks involved, stating, "The children are why I'm still here. We're in this together," in an interview with the Irish Times in 2022.
As of now, no ransom demands have been reported, though Ireland's foreign affairs department is providing consular support for those affected. This kidnapping is not an isolated event; Haiti has seen an alarming rise in gang violence and kidnappings, with armed groups reportedly controlling up to 85% of Port-au-Prince. The UN has noted a tripling of the number of internally displaced persons in the country to over one million, with children disproportionately affected.
The surge in gang activity has prompted local police, assisted by international forces, to attempt to reclaim control of areas plagued by insecurity. Tragically, the urgency of the situation is underscored by recent kidnappings, including the abduction of six UNICEF workers earlier this month, indicating a deepening humanitarian crisis driven by gang violence.
With the UN reporting over 3,141 deaths related to such activities in the first half of 2025 alone, organizations and local authorities continue to grapple with the dire implications of this violence on the communities they serve.
