MERIDIAN, Idaho (ABP) — Leaders of a Southern Baptist church in Idaho said Feb. 11 they were encouraged by reports that a judge in Haiti has recommended release of 10 mission volunteers being held on child-kidnapping charges, but were still awaiting official word.
Media reports indicate that Bernard Saint-Vil, the Haitian judge overseeing the case of the church members who have come to be known as the "Idaho 10," determined that the group should be released from jail while the investigation continues. The judge reportedly gave the prosecutor an opportunity to object, however, and it is unclear that if released they would be allowed to leave the country.
All Headline News reported Feb. 12 that Saint-Vil would not decide on a final ruling before Feb. 15.
"Media reports continue to suggest that release of our loved ones is imminent," Clint Henry, pastor of Central Valley Baptist Church in Meridian, Idaho, said in a prepared statement to media. "At this present time, we still have not heard any official word about this. As soon as we have received reliable confirmation of release, we will let you know. Until such time the family continues to pray and wait for that all important phone call."
Five of the Americans arrested Jan. 29 while attempting to rescue 33 children from earthquake-stricken Haiti and move them into a temporary orphanage in the neighboring Dominican Republic are members of Central Valley Baptist Church. Three belong to Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls, Idaho. The remaining two, relatives of other team members, are from Topeka, Kan., and Amarillo, Texas.
The volunteer missionaries were officially charged with child kidnapping and criminal association Feb. 4 for attempting to transport the children across the Haiti/Dominican Republic border without proper documentation.
The Baptists insist they were only trying to help Haitian orphans. Haitian authorities suspect the group intended to put some of the children — many of whom have living parents — up for adoption.
The Central Valley Baptist Church statement voiced confidence in the attorneys representing the church members. "We understand that judicial proceedings take time," the statement said. "And even though we wanted them home yesterday, we will be just as glad to have them home tomorrow."
"Now we wait and pray believing that in the coming hours we will receive the news we have waited for," the statement concluded. "Let's get our people home and let's do it soon."
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Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.
Previous ABP stories:
Pastor stays out of division reported among jailed Americans in Haiti
Southern Baptist leaders ask Obama to intervene on behalf of missionaries
Church seeks forgiveness for mission team detained in Haiti
SBC official says he believes detained missionaries acted in good faith
Baptist prof fears Haiti arrests will set back adoption movement
Baptist group arrested in Haiti denies trafficking charge