“This Orphanage Destroyed My Childhood,” Says Victim As Founder Is Sentenced To 210 Years

The founder of a Haitian orphanage has been sentenced to 210 years in prison for sexually abusing numerous children in his care.

Michael Karl Geilenfeld, 73, operated the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in Haiti for over two decades after its founding in 1985.

Under the guise of helping orphaned, impoverished, and vulnerable children, Geilenfeld targeted boys he was supposed to care for as he traveled between the U.S. and Haiti.

Michael Karl Geilenfeld abused vulnerable children at an orphanage in Haiti

Image credits: U.S. Embassy in Haiti

As well as sexually assaulting children in the home, he physically and emotionally abused them.

In February, he was convicted of one count of traveling in foreign commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct and six counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place between 2005 and 2010.

The six counts of illicit sexual conduct relate to six different victims who were children at the time of the offense.

On May 23, Geilenfeld was sentenced to 210 years in prison.

“The defendant’s sustained sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of some of the most vulnerable children in the world is intolerable,” said Matthew Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

 

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“This prosecution demonstrates the Department’s commitment to securing justice for children harmed by criminals who travel abroad from the United States to commit their crimes.

“We thank our partners for working with us to ensure that the defendant can never harm another child.”

Ten of Geilenfeld’s victims testified against him, although the charges relate to only six.

They described the harrowing abuse they endured at his hands and the lifelong impact it has had on them.

One victim told the court that when he was 12, Geilenfeld brought him into his bedroom, claiming he was going to teach him a prayer, the Miami Herald reported.

Instead, Geilenfeld made him sit on a chair as he kissed him, fondled him, and tried to have sex with him.

The victim, now 28, said he managed to run out of the room.

During Geilenfeld’s sentencing last week, one 24-year-old victim said the only thing that would make him forget was death.

“This orphanage destroyed my childhood,” he said.

“There is no amount of love that can make me forget. The only thing that can make me forget is, I have to leave this earth. Only death.”

District Judge David Leibowitz said Geilenfeld had lied on the stand and described him as “the worst of the worst.”

“The defendant preyed upon some of the most vulnerable children in the world. That’s what he did.”

Victims and witnesses also described how manipulative Geilenfeld was

Image credits: Christoph Schmidt/picture alliance via Getty Images

“That’s not a metaphor: the trials, crises, and tribulations of the country of Haiti and all that it’s gone through,” Leibowitz said, according to the Miami Herald.

Victims and witnesses also described the physical abuse Geilenfeld inflicted on his victims and the manipulation that he employed to keep his operation running and financially supported by others.

“This sentencing marks the end of a case built on the courage of survivors and the dedication of investigators,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division.

“For decades, Geilenfeld used his position of trust and access to exploit vulnerable children under the guise of humanitarian work. We are grateful to those victims who came forward to report their abuse.

“The FBI is committed to pursuing those who commit crimes against children no matter where they occur or how long ago they were committed.”