U.S. Relief Worker Jailed In Haiti On Bogus Kidnapping Charge Set Free

PORT AU PRINCE (CBSDFW.COM) - Haiti relief worker Paul Waggoner has been released from a Port Au Prince penitentiary.

A Haiti judge ruled there was not enough evidence to support a man's claim that Waggoner kidnapped his 15-month-old son, Kevanz Philistin, and put him in a voodoo-like state.

Waggoner was imprisoned on those charges 18 days ago and has been sitting in isolation in a cholera-infested prison.

Dallas doctor Ken Adams and Trophy Club nurse Anna Oakley both submitted signed affidavits to the courts stating they worked on the boy following the Feb. 23 earthquake in Haiti. Both Adams and Oakley said the allegations were ridiculous and the boy died of respiratory complications.

"To believe that in this day and age that someone could be charged with placing a voodoo spell on somebody and turning them into a zombie," said Adams. "It's absurd."

Adams said he was thrilled to hear Waggoner has been released.

"To know he is out alive is wonderful," Adams said.

He said Waggoner needs to leave Haiti behind and Adams is rethinking future mission trips to help the people.

"I think people need to go down there with an eyes wide open approach that the state department has limited powers down there, they may be able to bring you food and water and even that is not guaranteed," said Adams.

Waggoner's family spoke with sister station WBZ-TV in Boston and thanked Adams and Oakley for stepping forward and helping in Waggoner's release.