⏱ 2 min read
Elleshia Anne Seymour, a 35-year-old mom from West Jordan, Utah, has been extradited from Croatia to face charges of international parental kidnapping and passport fraud in Salt Lake City. Seymour allegedly took her four biological children to Europe without the knowledge or court approval of their fathers, sparking a frantic search. The kids were eventually found in Croatia and returned to their dads in the US. Seymour was arrested in Croatia on January 17, 2026, and arrived back in the US on June 12, 2026.
According to court documents, Seymour removed her kids from the US between November 29, 2025, and January 16, 2026, with the intent to obstruct the lawful exercise of the parental rights of the children’s fathers. The kids’ fathers had joint custody, as ordered by a Utah state court. When Seymour’s former husband reported that he hadn’t seen the kids since November 24, 2025, police launched an investigation.
Seymour’s extradition is a significant development in the case, which has drawn attention to the complexities of international parental kidnapping. The US and Croatia have a treaty in place to facilitate the return of abducted children, and in this case, it appears to have worked. Seymour is now facing serious charges, including international parental kidnapping and passport fraud.
Seymour appeared in federal court for her initial appearance on June 22, 2026, and her detention hearing is scheduled for July 1, 2026. The case is being handled by the US Attorney’s Office in Utah, with assistance from the FBI and other agencies.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Utah
- Location: UT
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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