It's been a long time since Mel Coulter can remember seeing such passion in his daughter.
Charisa Coulter, a reserved, quick-witted 24-year-old, was determined to go to the impoverished country and help children who have no hope a year before the earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince last month, her father said Monday.
But now the Boise woman is among 10 Americans under Haitian judicial investigation as authorities try to decide whether their attempt to take 33 children out of the country was kidnapping.
"Outrageous," said Mel Coulter, an Idaho Department of Transportation spokesman who lives in Kuna.
Anyone who knew or saw Charisa Coulter get ready for that trip would know it was a "complete humanitarian effort," he told the Idaho Statesman.
Charisa Coulter sent a text message to her father Saturday saying she was in jail. Charisa Coulter fell ill and was taken to a nearby field hospital.
Looking pale as she lay on a green Army cot, Charisa Coulter was being guarded by two Haitian police officers.
"They're treating me pretty good," she said. "I'm not concerned. I'm pretty confident that it will all work out."
Read the complete story at idahostatesman.com