American missionary killed in Haiti, child kidnapped

According to Haiti's National Police, an American missionary named Roberta Edwards was killed by unknown gunman on Saturday night, and a child of about four years old was kidnapped from her car.

TheGrio Staff

Oct 13, 2015

According to Haiti’s National Police, an American missionary named Roberta Edwards was killed by unknown gunman on Saturday night, and a child of about four years old was kidnapped from her car.

State Department spokesperson Katy Bondy confirmed the tragic loss, saying, “We offer our condolences to her family and loved ones on their loss.”

According to the Estes Church of Christ, witnesses said that Edwards was driving through the city when another car blocked her path.

“Armed gunmen emerged from the vehicle and fired into Roberta’s car, causing her death,” said the church. “Haitian authorities are investigating, and the identity of the perpetrators and the motive are not known at this time.”

Further details have not yet been provided by the police.

Edwards had been living in Haiti for some time and ran the SonLight Children’s Home. She was caring for 20 children at the time of her death and ran a nutrition center that provided food twice a day to around 160 children.

“Roberta was a light to those in the community and dedicated to bringing hope to the hopeless,” said the church. “She knew that she worked in a dangerous setting, but had committed herself to care for children in Haiti despite these risks.”