Good intentions not above the law

Nine out of the 10 American missionaries accused of abducting children in Haiti were released Feb. 17 after being jailed in Port Au Prince Jan. 29 for supposedly kidnapping 33 children and criminal association. The children who were taken were primarily orphans, although after Haitian authorities investigated more thoroughly, they found some of them still had living parents.Several of these parents attested to negotiating with the Americans in having their children transported to a safer place during the havoc in Haiti, particularly to an orphanage in the Dominican Republic.

Laura Silsby, one of the missionary group's leaders, remains in Haitian custody being questioned for further investigation. Haitian officials are skeptical about their motives related to taking the children out of the country and why they had made trips to Haiti prior to the incident.

In November 2009, these women established the nonprofit organization New Life Children's Refuge Inc. According to Idaho Statesman.com, they had shared their plans to construct an orphanage in the Dominican Republic with a local business owner in Boise, Idaho.

"Honestly, I have nothing but good things to say about them," said Nancy Batteen, owner of the children's re-sale clothing store Other Mothers. Batteen confirms the two women left the store with bags filled with children's clothes and stuffed animals.

It seems problematic, then, to believe rumors suggesting Silsby hoped to profit off the children by placing them with families and charging large fees. It's true there have been other situations where charities have profited from people, which could have benefited from closer scrutiny. However, the Americans who volunteered to go on this trip said they were legitimately interested in helping the children.

Jim Allen, one of the seven returning missionaries, said he originally went to Haiti because he had experience in the construction industry.

"When I first left, I didn't know what to expect," said Allen, according to CNN. "I knew I had some skills I thought I could use and I could go and do that or whatever else was asked of me. Basically, I just felt the need to help them."

CNN also reported the eight other missionaries had signed a note indicating they had been misled by Silsby. Allen, however, dismissed these comments.

Because the Haitian judge allowed the Americans to be sent home without posting bail, most of the charges are likely to be dropped, said Allen's lawyer, Gary Lissade.

Because these so-called kidnappers were American, they might have gotten off easier than most people would simply because they were American. Sometimes there can be loopholes for Americans when it comes to dealing with the legal system, putting them in a privileged position, whereas other countries get treated differently.

Since the U.S. is one of the richest nations in the world, we tend to get away with a lot more than we should sometimes. We can buy our way out of anything in some cases.

The fact these Americans were arrested may seem unfair to some, but in reality it means people are becoming more vigilant of potential acts of crime and not just letting suspicions slide by. Authorities are becoming more alert, and that's a good thing.

Every action, especially during a destructive event like the earthquake in Haiti, should be monitored carefully. Everything should be properly accounted for, especially when it comes to human life.