A British mother accused of abducting her two sons from their American father has been evading police in the UK for over three months, it can be revealed.
Nishika Samaratunga, 34, a British woman of Sri Lankan heritage, is believed to be hiding her two children, five-year-old Blaine Baier and three-year-old Nathaniel Baier, known as Nate. The boys were born in America and had been in the care of their father, Ben Baier, who lives close to Denver, Colorado.
Blaine and Nathaniel travelled to see their mother in Britain in March under court-sanctioned arrangements following their parents' divorce, but Ms Samaratunga did not hand them back to Mr Baier at a UK airport on March 29, and neither she nor the children have been located since, reports the Daily Star.
Father launches High Court action
Mr Baier, 43, has launched High Court legal action in a bid to bring his sons home, with his lawyers raising concerns that the two youngsters appear not to be enrolled in school or nursery and are lacking proper medical attention.
Mr 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 in an effort to keep them from me, uprooting them from their home in Colorado."
He added: "Both our children have autism, and such abrupt changes to their routine are incredibly damaging to their development and health. I'm calling for her to do the right thing and return them to me so they can return to their life as normal, and for anyone who knows where they are to help return them to their home. I can only pray for their safe return."
Court orders and background
The High Court has authorised disclosure of the case particulars to aid in tracing the youngsters. Mr Baier and Ms Samaratunga married in 2020, with Ms Samaratunga moving to America, though their union broke down in 2024.
Ms Samaratunga then petitioned a Colorado court last August seeking permission to relocate the children to London, but returned to Britain the subsequent month after her request was denied. She submitted further applications to move the children, however a Colorado court determined in October that Mr Baier ought to become the boys' principal custodial parent.
While the Colorado court mandated that the youngsters must remain within the state, it also directed Mr Baier to bring the children to England for time with Ms Samaratunga, with an initial visit taking place between December and January.
Violation of court order and ongoing search
However, when Mr Baier travelled to the airport to collect his sons following their second visit in March, Ms Samaratunga did not return them, violating the Colorado court's directive. The High Court in London has issued directives to numerous firms to locate Ms Samaratunga, including JP Morgan Chase, HSBC, Thames Water and the NHS, yet no intelligence has emerged concerning her location.
A Colorado judge also authorised American authorities to assume custody of the youngsters in April, referencing a "credible risk that the children are in imminent danger." They additionally noted that Ms Samaratunga had "engaged in activities indicating a planned abduction" and had "unilaterally prevented the children's court-ordered return." This left the children "presently physically and emotionally endangered."
Legal and welfare concerns
Amy Rowe, partner at Hunters Law LLP, representing Mr Baier, commented: "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 holding information about Ms Samaratunga and the boys' location can contact Amy Rowe or Safina Mitha at Hunters Law confidentially.
