Plano family remains hopeful amid adoption challenges, gang violence in Haiti
PLANO, Texas - For one Plano family, the joy of Christmas had undertones of sadness as presents remained unopened under the tree.
It was a picturesque Christmas for the Smith family with plenty of gifts under the tree for their three biological children.
But after those presents were opened, there were still some that remained for their fourth child, who hasn't made it home.
What We Know: Jordan and Kathleen Smith were in the process of adopting 6-year-old Esther from Haiti when gangs started taking over the capitol city of Port-Au-Prince in February.
Despite several members of Congress signing repeated letters to the U.S. Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security over the past nine months asking for "humanitarian parole," Esther and approximately 70 other kids remain in Haiti.
What They're Saying: Kathleen Smith says she's worried about Esther's safety and wants her home.
"We're more worried about her safety and the other kids' safety," Smith said. "And yes, that would have been a special, special Christmas, but we just want her home."
Michelle Reed lives in Florida and is in a similar situation.
"I have adopted two little boys from Haiti in 2022, and I'm adopting their biological brother," Reed said.
But, for now, 6-year-old Esai remains in Haiti where gang violence is worsening.
"It's still escalating," Reed said. "It's still getting worse. Now we have children being recruited into gangs."
The escalation is why Reed and the Smiths and other American families are desperate to get their kids out of Haiti with seemingly no government resolution in sight.
The Smiths' other children have asked to leave the Christmas tree up until Esther comes home.
Background: Gang violence has worsened in Haiti since the nation's president was killed in a 2021 coup attempt.
The Caribbean country has struggled to organize an election that will restore Democratic rule, and is currently governed by a transitional council.
Two journalists and a police officer were killed Tuesday as gang members burst into the general hospital and fired indiscriminately at reporters who were there to cover the facility's reopening.