The new attorney for 10 American missionaries whom the Haitian government has charged with child kidnapping says he believes the group had authorization to take the children and that he's confident the judge will dismiss the case against them.

The Americans went to Haiti to rescue orphans following the Jan. 12 earthquake. At least 20 of the children they tried to bring across the border into the Dominical Republic have living parents.

The group reportedly did not have the proper paperwork from Haitian authorities to transport the children. However, their new Dominican lawyer, Aviol Fleurant, said Tuesday several parents gave their children to the Baptist group in good faith.

"The Americans acted with heart," Fleurant said outside a courthouse in the capital. "They had no intention to violate the Haitian law."

According to USA Today, Fleurant insisted the missionaries "have a document" authorizing them to take the children.

"I know that they will be released," he said.

The group's original lawyer was fired over the weekend.