Four children reported missing from West Jordan, Utah, over Thanksgiving were located nearly two months later in a state-run care facility in Croatia, according to their father, Kendall Seymour.
Landon Seymour, 11, Levi Parker Seymour, 8, Hazel Raye Seymour, 7, and 3-year-old Jacob Kurt Brady were found in state care after disappearing in late November. Authorities in Utah allege the children were taken by their mother, Elleshia Anne Seymour, Kendall’s ex-wife.
Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs confirmed that Elleshia Seymour was arrested in Dubrovnik and is being held in pre-trial detention following a local court decision.
Croatian officials said the children are safe and receiving appropriate care while the situation is assessed. They added that special attention is being given to preventing any potential risk and protecting the children’s physical and psychological well-being.
Croatia’s Ministry of Interior said Kendall Seymour has been informed of the procedure and documentation required to seek the children’s return. Officials also emphasized that U.S. authorities have an important role in the next steps, given the international nature of the case, including verifying relevant facts and circumstances before any handover decision can be made.
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The children were reported missing after West Jordan police conducted a welfare check at Elleshia Seymour’s home on Dec. 2 and found it unlocked and unoccupied, according to court records previously cited by ABC 4 Utah.
Surveillance video from Salt Lake International Airport was later released by ABC 4 and KSL Utah showing a woman authorities claim is Elleshia Seymour traveling with four children and multiple pieces of luggage. The footage shows her calmly interacting with Delta personnel while the children remain nearby.
Utah authorities have charged Elleshia Seymour with four counts of custodial interference and removing a child from the state, according to court records cited by ABC 4 Utah.
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While officials have not announced a specific motive, people familiar with Elleshia Seymour have alleged she became increasingly fearful before the children vanished. A former boyfriend previously told KSL Utah she believed “end times” were near and was concerned about “biblical events.”
Kendall Seymour previously said she left behind a “to-do” list that included instructions such as shredding paperwork, destroying identifying photos, discarding a phone, and purchasing a prepaid phone.
