2025 Haiti orphanage kidnapping
The 2025 Haiti orphanage kidnapping took place on August 3, 2025, around 15:30 local time, as attackers broke into the privately run Sainte-Hélène orphanage, located next to Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. The orphanage is run by Irish missionary Gena Heraty, who was kidnapped along with a 3 year old child with disabilities and 7 other employees including a nurse. They were released almost a month later.
Background
The orphanage in Haiti is managed by "Our little brothers and sisters" organization and is home to about 270 children, many of them with disabilities.[1][2] Gena Heraty who in 2010 won the Rehab People of the Year Awards, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and served as head of the children with reduced mobility wing since 1993. In 2013 during a robbery attempt of the orphanage, she was brutally assaulted as one member was killed.[1][3]
Kidnapping
According to reports the attackers broke through the wall, kidnapped 9 employees and ran away. The act was described by acting Mayor of Kenscoff: "The kidnappers entered without firing a single shot, after breaching the orphanage's perimeter wall, and kidnapped the staff there, then left with their hostages [...]".[4]
The kidnapping is another event in an ongoing escalating gang violence crisis in Haiti. The UN reports confirm that over 3,100 people were killed between January and June 2025.[5][6] During that time period around 350 kidnapping cases were recorded, when the highest numbers were between April and June 2025, accounting 175-185 cases.[5][6][7] The attackers have been conducted by gangs in Grand Ravine and Village de Dieu who are part of the Viv Ansanm group that was recently declared as a terrorist organization by the U.S.[2][8]
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris condemned the kidnapping, saying it is "deeply worrying" and confirmed high-level diplomatic engagement.[9][10] UNICEF along with Haiti's Institute of Social Welfare and Research worked to relocate survivors and safeguard dozens of children and staff from the orphanage.[2][11]
Release
After almost a month in captivity, Gena Heraty, 7 other employees and the 3 year old child with disabilities were released on August 29, 2025.[12] They were taken to receive medical treatment and later reunite with their families.[13][12] Harris said he is delighted and welcomes the good news about their release and relieved.[13] The Irish government stated that it did not pay ransom for the hostages.[14]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Irish missionary among nine kidnapped from Haiti orphanage". www.bbc.com. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ a b c "8 including an Irish missionary are missing after gunmen storm a Haiti orphanage". AP News. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ McQuinn, Órla RyanCormac. "'All is being done' to secure release of Irish woman kidnapped from Haiti orphanage, says Tánaiste". The Irish Times. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ "Haiti - FLASH : 9 people including a child kidnapped from an orphanage in Kenscoff - HaitiLibre.com : Haiti news 7/7". HaitiLibre.com. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ a b "Kidnappers Strike Orphanage as Haiti Unravels". The St Kitts Nevis Observer. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ a b "Irish missionary among nine kidnapped in Haiti orphanage raid". France 24. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ "'We ask you keep Gena in your hearts' – Family of Mayo charity worker kidnapped in Haiti say situation is 'deeply worrying'". Irish Independent. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ "Haitian police arrest a former senator accused of working with gangs to attack a peaceful community". AP News. August 3, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ "9 People, Including 3-Year-Old Child, Kidnapped from Orphanage by Armed Attackers: Reports". People.com. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ Neeson, Anthony. "Fears for Irish Woman Kidnapped in Haiti". Irish Echo Newspaper. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ "'All being done' to ensure Irish woman's release in Haiti". August 4, 2025.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ a b "Irish missionary, orphanage staff and 3-year-old are freed after Haiti kidnapping". Reuters. August 29, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ a b Phillips, Tom (2025). "Eight people kidnapped from Haitian orphanage released after three weeks". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ Lima, Eduardo Campos. "Irish-born missionary and seven Haitian nationals released by kidnappers". www.pillarcatholic.com. Retrieved September 4, 2025.