Four children from Utah who vanished after spending Thanksgiving with their mother have been found in Croatia, where they are currently at a state-run orphanage. Their mother, Elleshia Anne Seymour, has been arrested.
Elleshia, 35, was already facing charges in Utah after authorities said she took the children and left the U.S. on a one-way flight to Europe on Nov. 29, 2025.
Her ex-husband, Kendall Seymour, identified the children in a GoFundMe as Landon Seymour, 11; Levi Parker Seymour, 8; Hazel Raye Seymour, 7; and Jacob Kurt Brady, 3. Kendall is the father of three of the four children.
On Sunday, Jan. 25, Kendall posted an update on the fundraiser saying the children are “trapped” at a state-run orphanage.
Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to DNEVNIK, a leading local news agency, that a woman was arrested in Dubrovnik—about 400 miles from the capital, Zagreb—on Monday, Jan. 26. Another local outlet, 24 Sata, also reported the arrest, citing a statement from the ministry, though the woman was not named in that statement.
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The reports said the arrest is connected to a criminal case involving alleged violations of a child’s rights. Authorities had not publicly clarified the next steps for the children or whether they will remain at the orphanage.
The U.S. Department of State said it is aware of the reports but declined to comment further, citing privacy concerns.
The situation first came to light after a welfare check on Dec. 2, when West Jordan Police Department officers went to Elleshia’s home and found it unlocked and unoccupied, ABC4 Utah previously reported, citing court records.
Elleshia shares custody with the fathers of her children. Investigators have said she allegedly feared the “end of times” and referenced concerns about “biblical events,” according to KSL Utah, which cited a former boyfriend.
“I didn’t really know anything about her end-of-times beliefs until after this all happened,” Kendall told KSL Utah. “It didn’t come up in our marriage or after our divorce.”
In the GoFundMe, Kendall alleged that Elleshia left behind a note describing what he called a delusional message from God, along with a list that included instructions such as “shred paperwork, destroy identifying photos, throw away phone, purchase pre-paid phone.”
It was not immediately clear whether the children will be released from the orphanage or how soon they could return to the United States. Croatian outlet reports said the Croatian Institute for Social Work has pushed for a detailed review before any decision is made, citing the international nature of the case.
“Given the international element of the case, it is essential that the competent authorities of the United States of America conduct a review of all relevant facts and circumstances before making a decision to hand over the children to the father,” the institute said in a statement.
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In Utah, Elleshia is facing four counts of custodial interference, local authorities said, per KSL and ABC4 Utah. The investigation began with West Jordan Police but was later transferred to the FBI, and both the FBI and West Jordan police have declined to comment.
According to KSL, local officials said the matter is now being passed to Croatian police, though it was not immediately clear whether the FBI remains involved.
Kendall has continued to seek donations on GoFundMe to cover travel and other costs as he remains in Croatia while attempting to secure the children’s release.
