Father of American Hostage Kayla Mueller Criticizes U.S. Foreign Policy

The father of recently deceased American aid worker and hostage Kayla Mueller has spoken out in criticism of U.S. foreign policy with terrorists.

In a recent interview with "Today," Mueller's father, Carl, criticized the U.S. government's policy on refusing to negotiate with terrorists, saying the strict no-negotiation rule puts U.S. foreign policy "in front of American citizens' lives."

Carl Mueller pointed to other western countries that pay millions of dollars to have terrorist groups like the Islamic State safely release hostages. Mueller was reported dead by the Islamic State earlier in February after she was kidnapped in Syria in 2013 while working as an aid worker.

"We understand the policy about not paying ransom," he told Today's Savannah Guthrie. "But on the other hand, any parents out there would understand that you would want anything and everything done to bring your child home. And we tried. And we asked. But they put policy in front of American citizens' lives."

When asked if she believes the U.S. government did enough to secure the release of Kayla, the 26-year-old aid worker's mother, Marsha replied: "I think they wanted to. But I think again, it's the policy. And I don't think anyone had any idea this group would be as powerful as they were."

The Mueller family previously released a statement mourning Kayla's death, saying: "We are heartbroken to share that we've received confirmation that Kayla Jean Mueller, has lost her life."

"Kayla was a compassionate and devoted humanitarian. She dedicated the whole of her young life to helping those in need of freedom, justice, and peace," the statement added.