Former Orphanage Founder Gets 210-Year Sentence for Child Abuse in Haiti

For over two decades, Michael Karl Geilenfeld portrayed himself as a benevolent figure rescuing Haiti’s most vulnerable children. Behind the facade, however, was a pattern of horrific abuse that finally came to light—resulting in a staggering 210-year federal prison sentence.

The 73-year-old from Colorado founded St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in 1985, establishing a reputation as a missionary and humanitarian. The orphanage was supposed to be a safe haven for children who had been orphaned, abandoned, or lived in extreme poverty. Instead, it became a setting for long-term abuse and exploitation.

Six courageous survivors—now grown adults—testified during Geilenfeld’s trial, detailing the sexual and physical abuse they endured while under his care between 2005 and 2010. Their testimony was a powerful indictment of a man who used compassion as a mask for cruelty.

“The scale and severity of Geilenfeld’s abuse against some of the world’s most defenseless children is beyond reprehensible,” said Matthew Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

While additional individuals came forward, the charges were limited to crimes committed against six victims. Prosecutors confirmed that Geilenfeld was arrested in Littleton, Colorado, in January 2024. A federal jury convicted him in February 2025 on seven counts: one for traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sex acts abroad and six counts related to abuse in a foreign country.

Geilenfeld didn’t stop with a single orphanage. He expanded his operations across Haiti and into the Dominican Republic, creating a web of institutions that allowed him continued access to vulnerable children.

According to the Miami Herald, his reach spanned multiple facilities and impacted numerous lives. Paul Kendrick, a whistleblower who spent years exposing the abuse, stated, “He ruled like a king down there. This conviction can’t erase what happened, but it restores some sense of dignity to the survivors.”

“The outcome of this case is a result of brave individuals stepping forward and relentless work by our investigative teams,” noted Jose A. Perez of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division.

Perez added that Geilenfeld’s abuse was a betrayal of the trust so often given to humanitarian workers. “He manipulated his access to exploit children under the guise of charity. We owe a debt of gratitude to the survivors who came forward and made this possible.”

This case highlights a broader issue: the potential for individuals in trusted roles to exploit their positions. It’s a call for rigorous oversight of international aid organizations and for communities to stay vigilant in safeguarding children—especially those in vulnerable circumstances.