Irish Missionary and Toddler Among Nine Abducted from Haiti Orphanage

Wed Oct 22 2025 12:32:44 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a troubling incident, an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child were abducted from a Haiti orphanage, raising alarm over the ongoing gang violence in the country.

Nine individuals, including Gena Heraty, the director of the Sainte-Hélène orphanage, were kidnapped early Sunday morning in Kenscoff, a suburb of Port-au-Prince. The attack was described as a "planned act" by local authorities, who noted that the assailants entered the orphanage by breaking through a wall rather than using firearms. Alongside Heraty, seven staff members and one child were also taken, highlighting the vulnerability of institutions caring for at-risk children.

Gena Heraty, who has dedicated her life to humanitarian work in Haiti since 1993, is well-respected and has been recognized for her commitment to supporting children in need. Despite the escalating violence in the region, she previously affirmed her commitment to staying in Haiti for the welfare of the children. No ransom demands or specific motives have been announced following the kidnapping, which occurred in a region suffering from rampant gang activity, with armed groups dominating approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince according to UN estimates.

Haiti has seen a significant rise in kidnappings and violence, with nearly 350 reported abductions in the first half of 2025 alone, amid an environment of deteriorating social conditions contributing to widespread suffering among its populace.