A Florida couple visiting Haiti was kidnapped practically an hour after touchdown as their captors demand $200,000 for his or her secure return.
Abigail and Jean-Dickens Toussaint, each 33, had been taken on March 18 by a neighborhood gang who stopped their Port-au-Prince bus and demanded all Individuals get off, in line with their household.
The couple’s grieving household warned them to avoid the nation that’s overrun with political unrest and gangs.
‘We had been very frightened once they stated they had been going, we informed them to not go however they wished to go,’ relative Nikese Toussaint, informed ABC7.
A family-friend touring with them from the airport to the close by metropolis of Leogan was additionally taken.
Abigail and Jean-Dickens Toussaint, each 33, had been taken by a Haitian gang whereas on a bus in Port-au-Prince on March 18. Pictured: the couple with their one-year-old son
The couple’s grieving household warned them to avoid the nation that’s overrun with political unrest and gangs
The day the couple went lacking, they despatched a message to their household telling them they landed safely round 8.55am native time, in line with ABC7. They by no means despatched one other replace.
The couple’s kidnappers initially requested the household for $6,000 for his or her return earlier than rising the quantity to $200,000.
‘We do not have that kind of cash,’ Christie Desormes, their niece, informed WPLG.
It is unclear how the abductors communicated with the household.
The couple shares a one-year-old son, who stayed behind within the US with household. He’s at present staying along with his household.
The Toussaints may miss their son’s second birthday on March 28 if they don’t seem to be launched.
‘It’s loads of feelings, it’s devastating, you are feeling indignant it occurred and you then really feel numb on the identical time as a result of it doesn’t really feel actual,’ Desormes informed NBC.
Desormes began a Change.org petition to get the eye of politicians who may also help convey her aunt and uncle dwelling.
‘They’re U.S. residents. They’re mother and father. They’re siblings. They’re my household. They’re beloved and most of all they’re individuals who desperately want your assist,’ Desormes wrote.
As of Sunday, practically 4,500 signatures had been garnered.
The day the couple went lacking, they despatched a message to their household telling them they landed safely round 8.55am native time. They by no means despatched one other replace
The couple’s kidnappers initially requested the household for $6,000 for his or her return earlier than rising the quantity to $200,000
It’s unclear how the household has been in a position to have contact with the gang that took the couple. Pictured: Civilians in Haiti
The couple shares a one-year-old son, who stayed behind within the US with household. He’s at present staying along with his household
It’s doubtless the couple will miss their son’s second birthday on March 28 if they do not return dwelling in time. Pictured: Abigail Toussaint
The household is working with US authorities to convey the couple dwelling.
‘When a U.S. citizen is lacking, we work carefully with native authorities as they perform their search efforts, and we share info with households nonetheless we are able to,’ the US State Division wrote in a press release.
No further info was supplied.
In 2021, the kidnapping of 17 missionaries in Haiti made nationwide headlines. The group with 12 adults and 5 minors traveled to the nation with the Ohio-based company Christian Support Ministries (CAM).
They had been kidnapped in October 2021 and had been held hostage till their courageous escape two months later in December.
Their household began a Change.org petition to get the eye of politicians to assist convey them dwelling
