Haiti’s unexplained disappearances: Missing children raise alarm in Ouanaminthe

OUANAMINTHE, Haiti — The bright eyes of Manie Menard, 42, a food vendor in this northeastern border town, have dulled. Her smile has vanished, replaced by tight lips and sleepless nights. The mother of 5-year-old Ednayson Timothé, who went missing about a month ago, now continues to wake up every night just to check the door.

“Since his disappearance, there hasn’t been a day that I don’t think about him and wait for his return,” she said, her voice cracking. “Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night to see if he’s come home.”

Menard is among a growing number of parents in Ouanaminthe who are devastated by a disturbing rise in child disappearances. At least 10 cases—children and young adults—have been reported in the past three months, several residents told The Haitian Times. Five have been filed officially with the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (IBESR), a government agency.

So far, no suspects have been identified, and authorities have yet to determine a motive or pattern. The wave of unexplained disappearances has left families in fear, fueling speculation and desperation in this community near the Haitian-Dominican Republic border.

Children return with trauma—and no answers

Some children who have returned show signs of physical and psychological trauma.

Naydjelie Similien, a 10-year-old girl, disappeared for 13 days. When she returned, part of her right thumb was missing. She now suffers from memory loss and severe headaches.

Her mother had sent her to deliver bread to a relative. On her way home, Naydjelie said, she met a strange woman who allegedly ran away with her.

“After talking to me, I lost consciousness,” she recalled. “When I woke up, I was somewhere I didn’t recognize. One day, I found a chance to escape and came home.”

Her account is one of several that defy easy explanation. Local officials say most children are too traumatized or disoriented to explain what happened during their absence.

“They return disoriented, silent, and visibly shaken,” said Natacha Joseph, a Board of Directors of the Communal Section (CASEC) member. “Some never come back at all,” she added.

Another harrowing case involved Mikad Julien, 5, who disappeared for several days before returning. His parents were so shaken that they decided to leave Ouanaminthe entirely.

Community overwhelmed, police urged to act

While IBESR officials say a handful of children have been recovered, the frequency of disappearances is worrying.

“This shows that insecurity is spreading into the department,” said Remy Océan, IBESR’s northern regional director. “Police must be fully involved to prevent this from escalating.”

Police Commissioner Ronald Eugène told The Haitian Times that law enforcement is preparing to work more closely with the Child Protection Brigade.

“We’ll strengthen security measures, particularly at border checkpoints, to prevent more cases,” Eugène said.

The Haiti-Dominican Republic border, which Ouanaminthe straddles, has long been vulnerable to human trafficking and undocumented migration, particularly of children, according to reports by UNICEF and the International Office for Migration (IOM). Insecurity and weak enforcement in border areas have exacerbated the risks.

These reports outline how growing insecurity and displacement in Haiti are increasing the risks of child trafficking, abuse and exploitation, particularly in border zones like Ouanaminthe.

“Children on the move, including those at the border with the Dominican Republic, face heightened risks of violence, trafficking and separation from their families,” says UNICEF.

IOM Haiti indicates that between January and February 2024, nearly 30% of migrants crossing through Ouanaminthe were minors, many unaccompanied or with limited documentation.

Adult cases add to growing mystery

The crisis isn’t limited to children. On March 22, Wizguerla Pierre, 21, went missing while walking to her computer class. A resident of Ouanaminthe’s northern district, Pierre has not been seen since.

Known for her academic curiosity, Pierre’s disappearance has shocked her classmates.

“She’s a brilliant young woman who loves learning,” said Emmanuel Altidor, a former classmate. “Her vanishing is deeply troubling.”

Rumors, fears and unanswered questions

With no clear answers, rumors have taken hold. Some residents believe ougan—Vodou priests—may be involved for ritual purposes. Others suspect organ trafficking or child smuggling across the nearby border.

While these theories remain unproven, they reflect growing fear and a lack of trust in law enforcement. According to a 2024 report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), Haiti’s deteriorating security conditions, including frequent kidnappings and gang activity, have left entire communities exposed and vulnerable.

“With no functioning judicial or police accountability, residents face violent crimes and disappearances with no hope for justice,” states HRW in the report.

In Ouanaminthe, some parents now keep their children indoors at all times. The once-vibrant streets and schoolyards are quieter. Parents speak in whispers, afraid their child could be next.

“It seems like every week there’s a new case,” said one local teacher, who asked not to be named. “We’re desperate for someone to intervene.”

Despite the number of reported disappearances, the issue has yet to receive national attention. No dedicated task force has been announced. No government funding has been allocated for child protection in the area.

Locals fear the problem will only worsen without urgent intervention from national authorities and international partners. For now, parents like Manie Menard wait and pray.

“He was right there,” she said of her son. “Then he was gone.”

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