ROCHESTER, N.H. – From their New Hampshire home, the parents of a foreign journalist who has been missing in Syria since he was kidnapped more than a month ago appealed to his captors for compassion and any information about their son's health and welfare.

James Foley, 39, was kidnapped in northwest Syria by unknown gunmen on Nov. 22, his parents said Thursday. He was in the country contributing videos to Agence France-Press, which has vowed to help secure his release.

Foley's parents, John and Diane Foley, decided to hold a news conference at their home to make a public plea to his captors because the Foleys haven't received any information about their son in six weeks.