Colorado Man Who Ran Haitian Orphanage Sentenced to Life for Abusing Children

A dark chapter has closed for numerous survivors of abuse as Michael Karl Geilenfeld, 73, of Littleton, Colorado, was sentenced to 210 years in prison for crimes committed against children under his care at St. Joseph's Home for Boys in Haiti. Geilenfeld, who founded the orphanage approximately four decades ago, was convicted on multiple counts of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.

Following his arrest in January 2024, Geilenfeld faced a federal jury trial, ultimately found guilty of traveling in foreign commerce with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and six counts of engaging in such conduct in a foreign place. The convictions relate to six separate victims who resided at the orphanage between 2005 and 2010.

The now adult victims bravely shared their experiences in court, detailing the horrific abuse they endured at the hands of Geilenfeld. Their testimonies, along with those of other former child residents not directly involved in the charges, painted a disturbing picture of exploitation and manipulation.

Federal authorities emphasized the significance of the sentence, highlighting Geilenfeld's betrayal of trust and the vulnerability of his victims. The FBI underscored its commitment to pursuing justice for crimes against children, regardless of location or the passage of time.

St. Joseph's Home for Boys, founded by Geilenfeld in 1985, operated for over two decades. During this time, Geilenfeld routinely traveled between the United States and Haiti, where he sexually abused children entrusted to his care. Prosecutors also presented evidence of physical and emotional abuse, with victims and witnesses describing manipulation tactics used to secure financial support for the orphanage.

The Justice Department conveyed the gravity of Geilenfeld's offenses, condemning the sustained abuse inflicted upon vulnerable children. One survivor testified to being only 12 years old when Geilenfeld subjected him to sexual abuse under the false pretense of teaching him a prayer.

Reports indicate that Geilenfeld operated multiple orphanages in Haiti until 2014 and subsequently opened another in the Dominican Republic. In 2019, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents discovered photographs of the victims on Geilenfeld's person while traveling through Miami International Airport, suggesting an intent to intimidate potential witnesses. These photos played a key role in the investigation and prosecution of Geilenfeld.