A British mother accused of abducting her two young sons from their American father remains the focus of an international search more than three months after the children disappeared during a scheduled visit to the United Kingdom.
Nishika Samaratunga, 34, a British citizen originally from Sri Lanka, is believed to be somewhere in the UK with her sons, five-year-old Blaine Baier and three-year-old Nathaniel “Nate” Baier.
The children, who were born in the United States, were living with their father, Ben Baier, near Denver, Colorado, before traveling to England in March for a court-approved visit with their mother.
Father Says Children Never Returned After Scheduled Visit
According to court records, the visit was part of arrangements established following the couple’s divorce.
The children were due to return to the United States on March 29, but authorities allege Ms. Samaratunga failed to bring them to the airport, violating a Colorado court order.
Since then, the children’s whereabouts have remained unknown, prompting legal action in both the United States and the United Kingdom as officials attempt to locate them.
High Court Approves Release of Names and Photographs
In an effort to assist the search, the High Court in London has granted permission for the publication of the identities and photographs of the family—a step that is rarely taken but can be authorized in exceptional child welfare cases.
The court has also issued disclosure orders to several organizations, including banks, utility providers and the National Health Service, seeking information that could help establish Ms. Samaratunga’s location. Despite those efforts, investigators have yet to identify where the children are staying.
Welfare Concerns Grow for Two Autistic Children
Legal representatives acting for Mr. Baier say there is increasing concern for the boys’ wellbeing because both children have autism and rely heavily on routine, consistent education and regular medical support.
They argue there is no indication that the children have been attending school or nursery or receiving appropriate healthcare since they disappeared.
Mr. Baier described the alleged abduction as devastating, saying he never expected his former wife to remove the children from their home in Colorado and conceal their whereabouts.
He appealed directly for their safe return, urging anyone with information to come forward so the boys can resume their normal lives.
US Court Declares Children at Risk
The case has also drawn significant attention in the United States.
A Colorado judge authorized law enforcement officers in April to take custody of the children if they are found, concluding there was credible evidence they faced an imminent risk of physical and emotional harm.
The judge stated that Ms. Samaratunga had allegedly taken steps consistent with a planned abduction and had deliberately prevented the children’s court-ordered return to the United States.
Custody Battle Preceded Disappearance
The disappearance follows a lengthy legal dispute over custody.
After the couple married in 2020, Ms. Samaratunga relocated to the United States.
Their relationship later broke down, and in 2024 she sought permission from a Colorado court to permanently relocate the children to London.
The request was denied. In October, the court designated Mr. Baier as the children’s primary custodial parent while allowing Ms. Samaratunga regular visitation in England.
The first visit proceeded without incident between December and January, but the second visit ended with the children failing to return to the United States.
Prominent Family and Business Background
Ms. Samaratunga comes from a well-known Sri Lankan business family.
She is the great-granddaughter of entrepreneur Noel Servulus Oswald (NSO) Mendis, who acquired the Ceylon tea producer Mackwoods in 1956, becoming the first Sri Lankan owner of a British plantation company.
The Mackwoods business has since expanded into sectors including healthcare, energy, information technology and tourism, while remaining under family ownership.
Ms. Samaratunga identifies herself as a director of the company on her professional profile.
Before the custody dispute, she built a career in executive recruitment focused on financial services and private equity, co-founding London-based Baier Associates in 2020.
The firm was later acquired by executive search company Jensen Partners, where she has been listed as a managing director.
Lawyers Continue Appeal for Public Assistance
Amy Rowe, a partner at Hunters Law LLP representing Mr. Baier, said the court recognized the serious emotional and developmental impact that child abduction can have, particularly for two young children with additional needs.
She stressed that every day the boys remain missing increases concerns about their welfare and urged anyone with information about their whereabouts to contact the legal team confidentially.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
Authorities in both the UK and the US continue efforts to locate Blaine and Nathaniel and enforce existing custody orders.
The cross-border investigation remains active as courts and law enforcement agencies seek the children’s safe return to their primary residence in Colorado.
