All from US missionary group freed in Haiti, police say

PORT-AU-PRINCE – The remaining members of a U.S. missionary radical who were kidnapped 2 months agone successful Haiti person been freed, Haitian constabulary and the religion radical said Thursday.

The spokesperson for Haiti’s National Police, Gary Desrosiers, confirmed to The Associated Press that the hostages had been released, but did not instantly supply further details.

“We glorify God for answered supplication — the remaining 12 hostages are FREE!” Christian Aid Ministries said successful a statement. “All 17 of our loved ones are present safe.”

The Ohio-based radical said it hopes to supply much accusation later.

Late Thursday afternoon, a convoy of astatine slightest a twelve vehicles, including U.S. Embassy SUVs and Haitian National Police, brought the missionaries to the Port-au-Prince airdrome from the missionary group's offices successful Titanyen, northbound of Port-au-Prince.

Earlier, radical astatine the Christian Aid Ministries field could beryllium seen hugging each different and smiling.

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White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “We welcomed reports that they are escaped and getting the attraction that they request aft their ordeal.” She praised the instrumentality enforcement enactment and Haitian officials who helped get the hostages freed.

The missionaries were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo pack connected Oct. 16. There were 5 children successful the radical of 16 U.S. citizens and 1 Canadian, including an 8-month-old. Their Haitian operator besides was abducted, according to a section quality rights organization.

The person of the 400 Mawozo pack had threatened to termination the hostages unless his demands were met. Authorities person said the pack was demanding $1 cardinal per person, though it wasn’t wide if that included the children.

It remained unclear whether immoderate ransom was paid oregon what efforts led to the hostages’ freedom.

Carleton Horst, a subordinate of Hart Dunkard Brethren Church successful Hart, Michigan, whose members were among the hostages, said religion members received a substance connection Thursday greeting from “someone connected to the situation” that each of the hostages had been released.

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A parent and 4 of her children who beryllium to the religion were among the hostages. Horst, who is friends with the family, said the religion is rejoicing and he’s “elated that that information of things is yet over, conscionable praise the Lord for that.”

“We’re feeling great,” said the Rev. Ron Marks, a curate astatine the church.

Two of the hostages were released successful November, and 3 much earlier this month. They were not identified, but members of the Hart congregation told section media successful Michigan that 2 were from Hart.

In summation to Michigan, the hostages are from Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Ontario, Canada, according to the missionary group.

“Today is the time we person been hoping for, praying for, and moving truthful hard to achieve,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga, whose occidental Michigan legislature territory includes Hart.

“I privation to convey members of the hostage dialog squad for their diligence successful securing the harmless merchandise of each the hostages. This is simply a large time for families successful Michigan and crossed the federation who person been disquieted astir the information of their loved ones,” Huizenga said.

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Smith reported from Pittsburgh. AP writer Anna Nichols successful Lansing, Michigan and Colleen Long successful Washington contributed to this report.

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