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Eight of the 10 mission volunteers were released from a Haitian jail on Feb. 17, nearly three weeks after first being detained. Two members, Laura Silsby, the group's leader, and Charisa Coulter remained behind for further questioning
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The group was detained at the border of the Dominican Republic on Jan. 29 after attempting to cross the border with 33 children without proper documentation. They were officially charged with kidnapping on Feb. 4, an offense which carries a five to 15 year prison sentence.

The mission volunteers identified the children as orphans but according to the Associated Press, the 33 children had living relatives. However, they also noted that more than half of the children in orphanages in Haiti are not orphans but children whose parents cannot provide for them.

Silsby has a history of legal and financial trouble, according to the Idaho Statesman, with her house recently in foreclosure, eight lawsuits, 14 unpaid wages claims and a number of insurance and registration related traffic citations.

The 10 member team was composed from four different churches: Central Valley Baptist Church in Meridian, Idaho; Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls, Idaho; Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas and Bethel Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. All but Bethel Baptist Church are members of the Southern Baptist Convention

The North American Mission Board Disaster Relief is leading the SBC's relief efforts in Haiti. Although the mission workers planned their trip without the support of this organization, three high- profile members of the SBC petitioned President Obama on Feb. 5 for the release of the workers. SBC President Johnny Hunt, former President Frank Page, and Morris Chapman, president of the SBC Executive Committee wrote a letter asking that the President help to create a an expedient solution while providing the group with proper medical and legal care.

"It is possible that the Baptist mission volunteers currently detained in Haiti have acted with the noblest of intentions in a desperate situation to meet an immediate need. We pray that is the case," they said.

Despite the letter, U.S. officials seemed to have little to do with the release. U.S. Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton made a statement Feb. 5. "Obviously, this is a matter for the Haitian judicial system," Clinton said.

In a statement posted on Paramount Baptist Church's website, Jim Allen, one of the eight released, thanked people for their concern and stressed attention for the continuing situation in Haiti. "I hope today's actions will allow everyone to focus again on the dire conditions that remain in Haiti. People are still suffering and lack basic necessities," Allen said.