Haitian Orphanage Kidnapping: Irish Missionary and Child Among Nine Abducted

Tue Oct 21 2025 07:46:25 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

An Irish missionary and a three-year-old child were among those kidnapped from a Haiti orphanage, raising urgent concerns about safety.

In a shocking incident, Gena Heraty, director of the Sainte-Hélène orphanage, and eight others were taken by gang members in Port-au-Prince, underscoring the escalating violence in Haiti, where armed groups control much of the city.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, nine individuals, including Gena Heraty and her young charge, were kidnapped from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, a suburb near Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. This facility, which houses over 240 children, mainly focuses on those with disabilities. According to Mayor Massillon Jean, the attackers executed a "planned act," breaking through a wall to access the premises without firing shots.

Gena, who has lived in Haiti since 1993, confirmed the kidnapping to the organization overseeing the orphanage. Despite the danger, she has previously expressed her commitment to the children, stating, "We're in this together." No ransom demands have been reported as authorities work to secure the safe return of those abducted.

Gang violence in Haiti has surged, with armed groups controlling an estimated 85% of Port-au-Prince, leading to a rise in kidnappings and chaos. The United Nations reports that nearly 350 people were kidnapped in the first half of 2025 alone, with an alarming 3,141 casualties during the same timeframe. The UN's Human Rights chief has warned that the deteriorating security situation is displacing more families, leaving many vulnerable and struggling to survive in makeshift shelters.