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Haiti Seeks 6 Months for US Missionary

Alleged child-grabber Laura Silsby on trial

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 14, 2010 4:06 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Baptist missionary Laura Silsby knew she was breaking the law when she tried to take 33 children out of Haiti, and she deserves to spend at least 6 months in jail, the prosecutor said as her trial began yesterday. The Idaho woman testified that she genuinely believed that the children—all of whom were later found to have at least one living parent—had been orphaned by January's earthquake, AP reports.

"One week after the earthquake I left my family and my home to help children that had been orphaned in the earthquake," Silsby told the court. "We came here with a heart to help." The charges against her have been downgraded from kidnapping to arranging illegal travel, a charge which carries a maximum sentence of 6 months. Silsby has been in jail since January, and time served will count toward her sentence if she is found guilty.

Laura Silsby, center, was the only person to testify at the trial yesterday. The next court session will be next week.
Laura Silsby, center, was the only person to testify at the trial yesterday. The next court session will be next week.   (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Laura Silsby, 40, of Meridian, Idaho, is escorted by police officers upon her arrival at the courthouse in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Laura Silsby, 40, of Meridian, Idaho, is escorted by police officers upon her arrival at the courthouse in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.   (AP Photo/Esteban Felix, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
I_love_all_of_you
May 14, 2010 7:48 PM CDT
Silsby told the court. "We came here with a heart to help."

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Timinator2K
May 14, 2010 12:23 PM CDT
Phucking Haitians, they DUMP thousands of kids to be without families or, homes and this is their concern? No amount of disaster relief and aid goes un-appreciated or, spat upon by these voodoo ignoramuses. Let them help themselves from now on...they couldn't do that BEFORE the quake, the lazy, stupid masses.
flaming_jesus
May 14, 2010 11:32 AM CDT
6 months to a year would be correct and forbidden to return to the country of Haiti would be about right.
Such arrogance and stupidity need to be addressed and I am glad the Haitians have done so accordingly.

 
Haiti • Haiti orphans • Americans detained Haiti • Laura Silsby • Laura Silsby trial

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