Missionaries' kidnapping charges dropped

PORT, Haiti, April 16 (UPI) -- Charges against nine missionaries accused of kidnapping 33 children after an earthquake in Haiti were dropped, a spokesman for Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said.

Still in custody in Haiti is the missionary group's leader, Laura Silsby.

Spokesman Kyle Hines said Risch received a call from U.S. State Department officials Thursday, confirming that the kidnapping charges against the nine people were dismissed, CNN reported Friday.

"The senator is pleased to hear that the charges have been dropped and is looking forward to the situation being resolved," Hines said.

The nine missionaries were released in February and March. Haitian authorities stopped the 10 missionaries at the border with the Dominican Republic with 33 Haitian children Jan. 29.

Haitian authorities accused the group, many of whom were members of a Baptist church in Idaho, of trying to kidnap the children in the aftermath of a devastating Jan. 12 earthquake. The Americans said they were trying to help the children reach safety after the 7-magnitude earthquake leveled cities and towns in Haiti.

One missionary told KTKA, Topeka, Kan., news of charges being dropped against him and the eight others was tinged with sadness.

"It's partial good news," Drew Culberth said. "It's good for me but not good news for Silsby."