WH: FBI working to rescue kidnapped missionaries

The White House said Monday the FBI is part of a "coordinated U.S. government effort" to secure the release of the 17 American and Canadian missionaries who were abducted over the weekend by a violent gang in Haiti. Speaking at the White House briefing Monday, press secretary Jen Psaki said, "the FBI is part of a coordinated U.S. government effort to get the U.S. citizens involved to safety." She said she couldn't go into further detail on the efforts due to the nature of the situation, but she "can confirm their engagement." 12 adults and five children connected with the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries disappeared Saturday while on a trip to visit an orphanage. Haitian police told The Associated Press that the abduction was carried out by the 400 Mawozo gang, a group with a long record of killings, kidnappings and extortion. It was the largest reported kidnapping of its kind in recent years. Haitian gangs have grown more brazen amid ongoing political instability, a deepening economic crisis and a spike in violence that is driving more people to flee the country. ------------------ For More News and Videos SUBSCRIBE and Turn Notifications On https://bit.ly/2r0BEND Get a Digital Subscription to the Tampa Bay Times https://bit.ly/2Xinunj Follow us: Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/tampabaycom Twitter ► https://twitter.com/TB_Times Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/tampabaytimes #Haiti #KidnappedMissionaries #HaitiKidnappings