by Salt Lake City, Utah — Four young siblings who were allegedly abducted by their mother and taken to Europe under apocalyptic beliefs have safely returned home to Utah with their father, ending a two-month international search that spanned multiple countries and agencies.
The children were reunited with their father, Kendall Seymour, after authorities in Croatia arrested his ex-wife, Elleshia Anne Seymour, and cleared the way for the minors to leave state custody and return to the United States.
Father confirms children are coming home
Seymour shared the emotional update Sunday through a GoFundMe post, confirming that social services officials had approved the children’s release after completing their investigation.
“WE ARE TAKING THE KIDS HOME!” Seymour wrote. “After so much work from so many people, the police finished their investigation, returned the children’s passports, and gave us the go-ahead to pick up the kids.”
He said the family was eager to return to “mostly normal life” after weeks of uncertainty and fear.
Children taken abroad amid doomsday beliefs
According to court filings and family statements, Elleshia Seymour, 35, removed the children from Utah on November 30, flying with them from Salt Lake City International Airport to Croatia.
The children include:
- Landon Hal Seymour, 11
- Levi Parker Seymour, 8
- Hazel Rae Seymour, 7
- Jacob Kurt Brady, 3
Kendall Seymour shares custody of the three older children. Jacob is the biological child of Elleshia Seymour and another man.
Seymour reported the family missing on December 2, telling authorities his ex-wife believed the world was ending. He alleged she forged passport documents and left behind notes at home, including what he described as a “delusional message from God” promising she would be in Italy by Christmas.
Children found in state-run orphanage
After weeks of searching, the children were located living in a Croatian state-run orphanage, where they had been placed following their mother’s arrest.
Authorities have not publicly detailed the circumstances leading to the children’s placement in the facility, but officials confirmed they were safe and receiving care while legal proceedings unfolded.
The children were described as “trapped” in Croatia until custody and passport issues were resolved, Seymour said.
Once Croatian authorities completed their investigation, the children’s passports were returned and permission was granted for their release to their father.
Emotional reunion documented
Seymour shared photos from Croatia showing joyful moments with his children ahead of their journey home, including images of the family eating together and embracing on the streets.
One photo showed Seymour holding his eldest child tightly, while another captured young Jacob eating a hamburger, smiling during the long-awaited reunion.
“In no way could we have done this without our family, friends, and everyone who helped us fight for these kids,” Seymour wrote
Fifth child not released to father
Seymour also revealed that a fifth American minor was found at the orphanage with the group. The child reportedly traveled with Elleshia Seymour and the four siblings, along with his own mother.
That child was not released into Seymour’s custody, and authorities have not clarified the nature of his relationship to the family.
Seymour said he provided the child with a new phone and emergency contacts, ensuring he could reconnect with friends and seek help if needed
The boy reportedly expressed fear that loved ones back home believed he was dead.
Family gives back to orphanage
While in Croatia, Seymour said his family made donations to the orphanage, after learning from residents that the facility lacked certain resources.
“They served our kids with love and care,” Seymour wrote. “We want to help improve the lives of the children who are still there.”
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He said the family hopes to find additional ways to support the orphanage and the children left behind.
Case highlights international custody risks
The case has drawn attention to the complexities of international child abduction, particularly when mental health concerns and forged documents are involved.
Cross-border custody cases can take weeks or months to resolve, especially when minors are placed into state care overseas
Authorities have not released details about potential charges Elleshia Seymour may face in the United States, nor whether extradition proceedings are underway.
Family looks ahead
Now back on American soil, Seymour says his focus is on helping his children recover from the trauma and rebuild stability after weeks of displacement.
For him, the outcome is a hard-earned victory.
“We don’t even know where we would be without everyone who helped us,” he wrote
As the legal process continues abroad, the Seymour family is beginning the long road forward — together again.
Do you think international child custody laws provide enough protection when a parent removes children across borders? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
