Laura Silsby

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Haiti Frees Last US Missionary
 Haiti Frees Last US Missionary 
May 17, 2010 2:55 PM CDT

Haiti Frees Last US Missionary

Judge unexpectedly releases Laura Silsby

(Newser) - Just when it looked as though Haiti was ready to throw the book at Laura Silsby—the last of the Baptist missionaries accused of trying to kidnap "orphans" in the wake of the Jan. 12 earthquake—a judge reversed course and ordered her release today. Silsby has been in...

Haiti Seeks 6 Months for US Missionary

Alleged child-grabber Laura Silsby on trial

(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—...

Haitian Judge Drops Charges Against Most Missionaries

Two still face 'irregular trip' charges

(Newser) - A Haitian judge said today that he has dismissed kidnapping and criminal association charges against 10 American missionaries detained for trying to take a busload of children out of the country after the Jan. 12 earthquake. But Judge Bernard Saint-Vil said Laura Silsby, the last of the 10 missionaries jailed...

Freed Missionaries Land in Miami

Two remain in Haitian custody

(Newser) - Eight bedraggled, sweat-stained American missionaries landed in Miami early this morning aboard a military cargo plane after nearly three weeks in a Haitian jail. "They're very tired," said Caleb Stegall, a district attorney in Kansas who has been helping some of the missionaries. "They've had quite an...

Haiti Judge Frees 8 of 10 Americans

Two will remain behind for further questioning

(Newser) - A Haitian judge says he decided to free 8 of 10 Americans charged with child kidnapping after their parents testified they voluntarily handed their children over to the missionaries. Judge Bernard Saint-Vil says the 8 are free to leave today without bail or other conditions. He says he still wants...

Leader of Haiti 'Kidnappers' Ensnared in Money Woes

Laura Silsby faced business troubles in Idaho

(Newser) - The leader of the group of American Baptists accused of trying to snatch children out of Haiti without authorization flouted plenty of laws in her native Idaho. Laura Silsby, founder of online business Personal Shopper, has a long record of failing to pay employees, failing to pay debts, and ignoring...

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