US missionaries freed in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE - Eight American missionaries were freed from a Haitian jail today, nearly three weeks after being charged with kidnapping for trying to take a group of children out of the quake-stricken country.

The eight - looking bedraggled and sweaty - walked out of the Haitian jail escorted by US diplomats just after dusk. They waited until they were safely inside a white van before flashing smiles, waving and giving a thumbs up to reporters.

Hours earlier, judge Bernard Saint-Vil told The Associated Press that eight of the 10 missionaries were free to leave without bail or other conditions after parents testified they voluntarily handed their children over to the missionaries.

"The parents of the kids made statements proving that they can be released," he said.

- AP