Nishika Samaratunga, a 34-year-old British mother, is suspected of abducting her two sons, Blaine (5) and Nate (3), from their American father, Ben Baier, and has been on the run in the UK for more than three months. The boys flew from Colorado to the UK in March for a visit but were not returned as ordered by a Colorado court.
Background of the Case
Samaratunga and Baier married in 2020, and she relocated to the US. Their marriage broke down in 2024. Samaratunga applied to a Colorado court to move the children to London in August last year, but the request was denied. She returned to the UK the following month. Further applications to relocate were also rejected, and in October, a Colorado court ruled that Baier should be the primary custodial parent.
Court Orders Violated
The Colorado court ordered that the children must remain in the state but directed Baier to bring them to England for visits. The first visit occurred between December and January. During the second visit in March, Baier arrived at a UK airport on March 29 to collect his sons, but Samaratunga failed to hand them over, violating the court order. The trio have not been seen since.
Concerns for the Children's Welfare
Baier, 43, has launched High Court proceedings to secure the return of his sons. His solicitors have raised concerns that the boys, both of whom have autism, are not attending school or nursery and are not receiving medical attention. Baier stated: "The collapse of my marriage has been an incredibly trying time, but I never believed that Nishika would abduct Blaine and Nathaniel and then conceal their whereabouts... Both our children have autism, and such abrupt changes to their routine are incredibly damaging to their development and health."
Legal Actions to Locate the Mother
The High Court in London has issued orders against multiple companies, including JP Morgan Chase, HSBC, Thames Water, and the NHS, to locate Samaratunga, but no information has emerged. A Colorado judge authorized US law enforcement to take custody of the children in April, citing a "credible risk that the children are in imminent danger." The judge noted that Samaratunga had "engaged in activities indicating a planned abduction" and had "unilaterally prevented the children's court-ordered return," resulting in the children being "presently physically and emotionally endangered."
Appeal for Information
Amy Rowe, partner at Hunters Law LLP, representing Baier, said: "The court has rightly recognised the deeply harmful impact of abduction on Blaine and Nathaniel. 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." Anyone with information can contact Amy Rowe or Safina Mitha at Hunters Law confidentially.
