Local officials investigating taking of girl from orphanage in Haiti

Local officials investigating taking of girl from orphanage in Haiti

Author: Jaccii Farris, Reporter, jaccii.farris@wfmz.com

Published On: Jun 01 2012 04:57:53 PM EDT  Updated On: Jun 01 2012 05:40:16 PM EDT

Local officials investigating taking of girl from orphanage

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -

Is it a case of kidnapping or an international custody dispute?

In 2011, 69 News was in earthquake-ravaged Haiti as a group of Lehigh Valley residents arrived to help rebuild an orphanage.

Now, one of the orphans, July Angela, is missing, and a battle to get her back is beginning.

Mercy Village Home officials in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and its board members in the Lehigh Valley, have been asking for a week where Angela is.

Last Friday, Mercy Village said Angela, 6, was forcibly taken from a home in Port-au-Prince.

Mercy Village, formerly Rescue Children Orphanage, was founded in 2005 by a woman named Lynda Morrison of South Carolina.

In 2009, Morrison gave the orphange to LifeChurch of Allentown, which Ramon and Luz Crespo, of Allentown, in charge of the orphanage. The Crespos took over running the home from LifeChurch last year.

In recent months, Morrison has contacted 69 News with concerns about Mercy Village.

"These kids need help. They need to be rescued," she said.

Fast forward to last Friday when Mercy Village officials said Morrison showed up with several men, one of whom claimed to be a judge and another who claimed to be a police officer.

Morrison produced what Mercy Village officials said were false documents and forcibly removed Angela.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent's office confirmed it worked to prevent Morrison from taking Angela out of the country.

Morrison referred 69 News to her attorney in Haiti, but would not comment further.

"We really want to know where July is. We want to bring July back to her home, and then from there, whatever the discussion can be done, it should be done from there," said Dr. Iqbal Sorathia, Mercy Village board member.

Sorathia said Mercy Village has filed charges in Port-au-Prince, and the United Nations could file charges against Morrison, but all Mercy Village really wants is for Angela to return home.