Haitian girl, 2, still in federal custody

Haitian girl, 2, still in federal custody

BY JOHN A. TORRES • FLORIDA TODAY • JANUARY 21, 2010

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The 2-year-old Haitian girl detained and taken by immigration officials Saturday night remains in federal custody under mounting pressure to release her for medical care.

Mishna Prezilus was traveling to Melbourne from earthquake-ravaged Haiti on a medical visa that expires in August. She underwent surgery last summer on her feet and was returning for more treatment, including possibly more surgery.

Her visa was marked "CWOP," which immigration officials said meant "Cancel without prejudice" and that her visa had expired. She was traveling with two journalists, a pilot and a congressional candidate returning from Haiti Saturday night when the group was detained by immigration police for more than five hours.

The girl was taken to Boystown in Miami, where she remains.

Melbourne Dr. Stephen Badolato -- who has paperwork confirming him as legal guardian -- continues to work toward her release.

"Now they tell me it's a matter for the Department of Homeland Security," Badolato said Wednesday.

U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, and state Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, also have been applying pressure to have Mishna released.

"I'm hopeful that Badolato will have all the necessary paperwork and put it down right in front of them," Posey said. "I hope it gets resolved quickly."

Badolato said U.S. Sen. George Lemieux has contacted Gov. Charlie Crist.

Posey did not have kind words for the officers who took the girl: "Talk about a lack of common sense."

Contact Torres at 242-3649 or jtorres@floridatoday.com.