An urgent search is underway for a British mother who has been evading authorities for several months after allegedly abducting her two young sons from their American father. Nishika Samaratunga, 34, is believed to be hiding with her children, Blaine, five, and Nathaniel, three, who are reportedly missing since their mother failed to return them to the U. S.
in March.
The boys, who were born in the United States, were living with their father, Ben Baier, 43, in Colorado. Following a court-ordered visit to the UK in March, Samaratunga did not bring the children back to their dad at the airport on March 29, and they have not been seen since. In response, Mr.
Baier has initiated High Court proceedings to secure their return.
Concerns have been raised by Mr. Baier’s legal team regarding the well-being of Blaine and Nate, as reports indicate they are not attending school or receiving necessary medical care. “The collapse of my marriage has been an incredibly trying time,” Mr.
Baier shared. “But I never imagined Nishika would take Blaine and Nathaniel and hide them from me, uprooting them from their home in Colorado. Both our children have autism, and such sudden changes can severely impact their development.”
Mr. Baier is pleading for his ex-wife to do the right thing and return their children, emphasizing the need for them to resume their normal lives. He also calls on anyone with information about their whereabouts to come forward.
“I can only pray for their safe return,” he added.
The High Court has permitted the release of details surrounding the case to aid in locating the children. Samaratunga and Baier were married in 2020, but their relationship deteriorated by 2024. After a request to relocate the children to London was denied by a Colorado court last August, Samaratunga returned to the UK, making further attempts to move the children, which were also unsuccessful.
Despite a court ruling that Mr. Baier would be the primary custodial parent, the court allowed for visitation in England. However, after the boys’ second visit in March, Samaratunga did not comply with the court order to return them.
In a bid to track her down, the High Court in London has issued orders to several organizations, including major banks and healthcare services, but no leads have emerged regarding her location. Meanwhile, a judge in Colorado has authorized American law enforcement to take custody of the children, citing a credible risk to their safety and suggesting that Samaratunga may have engaged in planned abduction.
Amy Rowe, a partner at Hunters Law LLP representing Mr. Baier, expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “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.”
As the search continues, questions linger about the fate of Blaine and Nathaniel. Will they be reunited with their father, or will their mother continue to evade capture?
