Utah Mother Arrested in Croatia After Allegedly Taking Children Overseas
A mother from Utah is facing legal trouble after allegedly taking her four young children out of the country without the fathers’ permission. Elleshia Anne Seymour, 35, was arrested in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on January 16th. She is accused of abandoning her children in a Croatian orphanage, sparking an international effort to bring the children home.
Seymour is charged with multiple counts of custodial interference, which are serious crimes. Prosecutors are working with federal officials to bring her back to the United States.
Authorities say that Seymour flew from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam on November 29th, and then continued to Croatia with her children. The fathers of the children claim they never agreed to let them leave the country. The deadline for the children to be returned had long passed, raising concerns about Seymour’s intentions.
Kendall Seymour, the father of three of the children, said that he did not realize his children were missing until days after they had already left the country. He said that his ex-wife had “kidnapped” his three children and her fourth child from another father.
Court records show that a warrant for Seymour’s arrest was issued in December. Prosecutors argued that she was a flight risk and a danger to her children.
According to reports, police found Seymour’s apartment empty and unlocked. Her car was parked at the Salt Lake City International Airport. Inside the apartment, they found a notebook with plans to get rid of phones and documents. Seymour also allegedly forged passport papers for the children. She left a note that said she had received a message from God and was meant to be in Italy by Christmas.
Police also found a handwritten to-do list that included instructions to “shred paperwork,” “destroy identifying photos,” “throw away phone,” and “purchase pre-paid phone.”
In a voicemail left for Kendall Seymour, Elleshia Seymour allegedly claimed she was in France. She said she needed to get the children out because the “end times” were coming, according to police.
The children were eventually found in Croatia and placed in an orphanage run by the government.
Kendall Seymour has traveled to Europe to try to bring his children home.
In a recent update, Seymour said that the children are still in the care of the Croatian government. He is working to get them released. He has had to hire lawyers in Croatia who specialize in international child abduction cases. He also has to file papers under international law, pay for translators, and stay in Croatia for an unknown amount of time.
Seymour said that the money he had originally planned to spend has already been used up on travel costs. He also said that he does not know how much money will be needed for therapy for himself and his children after this is all over.
He also said that another American child, who was traveling with Seymour and her children, is also at the same orphanage. The child has not been identified.
This case raises important questions about parental rights and the well-being of children. It also highlights the dangers of radical beliefs and the importance of protecting children from harm. As a society, we must prioritize the safety and stability of children and ensure that they are raised in a loving and supportive environment.
