American, her child kidnapped in Haiti released

Abductors have freed an American nurse working for a humanitarian organization in Haiti and her child, the aid group said Wednesday, after their kidnapping in late July drew international attention to a wave of anarchic violence gripping the capital, Port-au-Prince.

El Roi Haiti, a faith-based humanitarian organization, said in a brief statement that Alix Dorsainvil, the group’s community nurse and the wife of the group’s director, was released along with her child after they were held in Port-au-Prince. The statement provided no further details, including when they were freed, although the nurse’s mother suggested in an interview the release took place Tuesday night.

The woman and child had been abducted July 31 from El Roi’s campus near the capital, and the U.S. State Department had said U.S. officials were working with their Haitian counterparts to get them released.

“There is still much to process and to heal from in this situation,” El Roi said in its statement. “We are so thankful for everyone who joined us in prayer and supported us during this crisis.”

A State Department spokesperson confirmed the release to The New York Times but did not provide more information. “Out of respect for their privacy, we will allow individuals to speak for themselves if and when they feel ready,” the spokesperson said by email.

The kidnapping of Dorsainvil and her child had drawn scrutiny to a surge in abductions for profit as gangs have taken control over large swathes of Port-au-Prince. The U.S. Embassy in Haiti ordered the departure of nonemergency government personnel the same day Dorsainvil and her child were abducted.