Kidnappers Increase Ransom Demand For South Florida Couple Abducted In Haiti, Family Members Say

According to Fox News, the family members of Jean Dickens Toussaint and Abigail Toussaint satisfied the original ransom demand of $6,000.
However, according to the relatives, the kidnappers not only increased their demand to an extra $200,000. But they would like it to be satisfied per person, according to the outlet.

❗️stop to read❗️The Imbert and Toussaint families need your help and prayers to bring them back home to their child and family. Abigail Toussaint,33 and Jean-Dickens Toussaint,33 were kidnapped in Haiti in the Port-au-Prince Area on Saturday the 18th. Please share!! @stefanurkel_ pic.twitter.com/kzLsmGOujf

— Najeé Maité (@NajeeMaite) March 23, 2023

According to ABC Miami, the family reportedly spoke with the kidnappers on Sunday. One member explained that captors instructed the couple to “call like the first person you have from your like recent list.”

That was when the kidnappers shared that they raised their demand.

Jean Dickens Toussaint’s sister, Nikese Toussaint, shared her reaction with the outlet.

“We don’t have that type of money.”

Furthermore, no one has been able to get back in touch with the couple since Sunday’s call.

Family members tell ABC Miami that the couple shares a two-year-old son who is celebrating his birthday on Tuesday.

“It’s so sad. We have been talking to the baby a lot, we get a couple smiles in when we speak to him, but we also get really sad.”

🇭🇹Bandi kidnape Jean-Dickens Toussaint ak madanm li Abigail Toussaint, 2 Ayisyano-ameriken ki gen 33zan. Yo te nan yon bis ki tap sot Pòtoprens. Gang yo kanpe bis la, fè yo desann epi ale ak yo. Viktim yo ki soti Florida, te vin wè paran yo ki malad. Yo mande $200,000 US pou chak pic.twitter.com/mcYQVuiqfc

— Luckson Saint-Vil Journaliste (@LuckNews88) March 25, 2023

Jean Dickens Toussaint and Abigail Toussaint were reportedly visiting the country to see “ailing relatives and attend a local festival.”

However, the couple was abducted from a bus along with their escort.

According to ABC Miami, the couple’s niece shared more details.

“They stopped the bus at a stop, and they asked for the Americans on the bus and their escorts to come off the bus, and then they took them.”

According to Fox News, the U.S. State Department is aware of the Toussaints’ kidnapping. In addition, the department is working with local authorities to find the couple.

The U.S. State Department shared a statement with the outlet.

“We are aware of reports of two U.S. citizens missing in Haiti. When a U.S. citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with families however we can.”

Furthermore, the U.S. State Department is advising Americans not to travel to Haiti during this time.

As The Shade Room previously reported, since the fatal shooting of President Jovenel Moïse, the country has struggled to recover from a 7.2-magnitude earthquake and rampant crime.