A British mother, Nishika Samaratunga, is on the run in the United Kingdom with her two young sons, whom she is accused of abducting from their American father. Samaratunga, 34, a British citizen originally from Sri Lanka, has not been seen with the children since March 29.
Blaine Baier, 5, and Nathaniel Baier, 3, were born in the United States and lived with their father, Ben Baier, near Denver, Colorado. The children have autism, and their father expressed concern that abrupt changes to their routine are damaging to their development and health. A judge in Colorado authorized law enforcement in April to take custody of the children, citing a "credible risk that the children are in imminent danger" and noting Samaratunga had "engaged in activities indicating a planned abduction."
Samaratunga and the boys were in the UK for a court-ordered visit following the parents' divorce. Ben Baier went to a UK airport to collect his sons on March 29, but Samaratunga failed to return them, breaching an order from a Colorado court. The court had previously ordered in October that Ben Baier be the primary custodial parent and that the children remain in Colorado, although it also allowed regular visits to England.
Amy Rowe, a partner at Hunters Law LLP representing Ben Baier, stated, "These are two very young, vulnerable children and every day that they remain missing increases the concern for their welfare. It is imperative that they are found and returned home safely as soon as possible."
Legal proceedings in the UK's High Court have included orders against several companies, including JP Morgan Chase, HSBC, Thames Water, and the NHS, in an effort to trace Samaratunga. However, no information regarding their whereabouts has become available. The High Court has granted special dispensation to publish the family's names and pictures in hopes of locating the children.