Attorney for Americans arrested in Haiti says they had papers for children
By APMonday, February 8, 2010
In Haiti, Americans’ attorney says they had papers
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — The new attorney for 10 Americans charged with child kidnapping in Haiti says the group had authorization to take the children.
Aviol Fluerant tells reporters that parents gave their kids to the Baptists in good faith.
He adds that the group had papers authorizing the children to be taken across the Dominican border. It was not immediately clear Monday who may have given authorization.
The group’s original lawyer was fired over the weekend after he allegedly tried to bribe the missionaries’ way out of jail.
The Americans have been charged with child kidnapping and criminal association for trying to take 33 children out of earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
They say they were on a humanitarian mission to rescue orphans.