Oklahoma City Woman Worried About Friend Stuck in Haiti

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- When Shelli Swindle first saw video of Haiti's devastating earthquake, her mind spun thinking about her friend Kelly.

"I'm sick to my stomach. I'm so worried for her life," Swindle said.

Since news broke, Swindle has been glued to her computer and phone where she and Kelly have been able to communicate via Facebook.

"I did instant message with her this morning, and she said this is the scariest thing she's been through in her whole life," Swindle said.

The place where Kelly was staying in Haiti had become more dangerous by Thursday afternoon. Swindle said her friend left trying to get to the U.S. Embassy and did not hear from her for several hours.

Swindle said Kelly is also taking care of four American children who she is also trying to fly back to the United States. The children are in Haiti because their parents run an orphanage there. Kelly is a volunteer who is caring for the children while their parents traveled to the U.S. for fundraising efforts.

During a morning chat with Swindle, Kelly sent a photo showing children sleeping on the driveway because the orphanage itself was so damaged. Swindle said the entire scenario has everyone involved very scared.

The emotions run even higher for Swindle who has volunteered at Haiti's orphanages herself.

"The place I used to stay is just blocks from the Presidential Palace that collapsed, and that is where Kelly is," Swindle said, who is also a mother to two girls adopted from Haiti.

Both of Swindle's girls are too young to remember Haiti but are deeply affected by the earthquake. The two were supposed to meet their birth mother during their Spring Break this year. Now, the conditions will be too dangerous for that to happen and it is unclear if the woman even survived.

"It's really sad to see people going through that from where you are from, the country you are from and were born in," said Swindle's 11-year-old daughter Jaden.

Jaden said when she is old enough she would like to go work in Haiti to help with adoptions. For now, she's hoping her voice will get Haitians assistance.

"Go and help Haiti right now because they need you. You can help them if you choose to," Jaden said.

Late Thursday evening, Swindle finally heard back from Kelly. She told Swindle she and the children had made it to the U.S. Embassy and will be trying to fly out Friday.

Find out how you can help earthquake victims in Haiti.