FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Utah Haiti Relief airlifted 21 orphans to the United States Friday from the Crèche Enfant Jesus orphanage in Lamardelle, Haiti.
They arrived in Fort Lauderdale Friday morning around 3 a.m., and their waiting, adoptive parents rushed to embrace them.
"Every one of the children knew their mother and father," said Corbin Wade, a member of Utah Haiti Relief, who flew the children on helicopters, then a jet, to their new home.
Wade described holding a terrified 18-month-old boy who was shy and afraid of the other adults helping in the rescue effort.
"I held him the whole time," Wade said. "His mom was on the ground, and she looked up and yelled, 'Jimmy!' and he practically jumped out of my arms to get to her."
Jeremy and Holly Wardle, who have been patiently waiting for the arrival of their adopted daughter from the Crèche Enfant Jesus orphanage for more than two years, will reunite with her in Utah today. It appears that Gabrielle, who was among the orphans flown to Fort Lauderdale, will be the first Haitian orphan to arrive in Utah since the earthquake on Jan. 12.
Jeremy Wardle traveled to Haiti upon hearing about the earthquake and worked to bring his daughter and other orphans to the United States to be reunited with their adoptive families.
At least 30 orphans who did not qualify to leave the country remain at the orphanage.
Donations to help Utah Haiti Relief continue its rescue efforts can be made at Utahhaitirelief.org.
Contributing: Emily James
e-mail: achoate@desnews.com