An international search is underway after a British mother allegedly abducted her two young sons from their American father during a court-approved visit to the United Kingdom, sparking growing concerns over the children’s welfare.

The case has drawn attention in both the UK and the United States after Nishika Samaratunga, 34, and her sons, five-year-old Blaine Baier and three-year-old Nathaniel “Nate” Baier, disappeared in March and have not been seen since.

The boys’ father, Ben Baier, has now launched legal proceedings in the High Court in London in a desperate attempt to locate his children and secure their return to Colorado.

How the International Child Custody Dispute Began

According to court documents, Mr Baier and Ms Samaratunga married in 2020 after she relocated to the United States. Their relationship later broke down, leading to a custody dispute over their two children.

Ms Samaratunga reportedly sought permission from a Colorado court to relocate the children permanently to London. However, the request was denied.

A Colorado court subsequently granted Mr Baier primary custodial rights while allowing the children to visit their mother in England under court-approved arrangements.

The boys had successfully completed one visit to the UK between December and January. However, after a second trip in March, Ms Samaratunga allegedly failed to return them to their father at the airport on March 29, violating court orders.

Since then, the mother and her two sons have remained missing.

Concerns Grow Over Welfare of Missing Children

The case has become particularly alarming because both children have autism, with their father expressing fears that the sudden disruption to their routine could have serious consequences.

“The collapse of my marriage has been an incredibly trying time, but I never believed that Nishika would abduct Blaine and Nathaniel,” Mr Baier said.

He added that abrupt changes to routine can be highly damaging for autistic children and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Lawyers representing Mr Baier have also raised concerns that the boys may not be attending school or nursery and may not be receiving necessary medical care.

Family law experts warn that prolonged uncertainty can have a significant impact on children’s emotional development, particularly for young children with additional needs.

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High Court and US Authorities Launch Efforts to Locate Family

The High Court in London has permitted details of the case to be made public in an effort to trace the missing children.

Authorities have reportedly issued orders to several organisations, including financial institutions, utility companies and the NHS, in an attempt to determine Ms Samaratunga’s whereabouts.

Despite these efforts, no confirmed information has emerged.

Meanwhile, a judge in Colorado authorised American law enforcement authorities to take custody of the children in April, citing what was described as a “credible risk” that the children may be in imminent danger.

Court documents reportedly stated that Ms Samaratunga had engaged in activities suggesting a planned abduction and that the children were potentially facing both physical and emotional harm.

Who Is Nishika Samaratunga?

Ms Samaratunga comes from a prominent Sri Lankan family with ties to the historic tea industry.

According to publicly available information, she studied law at University College London and later completed a master’s degree in management at Durham University.

She also worked in executive recruitment and consulting and previously held leadership positions within international business firms.

However, the focus of the ongoing investigation remains on locating the missing children and ensuring their welfare.

Growing Calls for Information

Legal representatives for Mr Baier say every day the children remain missing increases concerns about their wellbeing.

Amy Rowe, a partner representing the father, described the boys as “young and vulnerable children” and stressed the urgent need to locate them.

As the search enters its fourth month, authorities continue to appeal to anyone with information to assist investigators.

The case has also renewed discussion about international child custody disputes and the challenges involved in enforcing cross-border court orders.

For now, the central concern remains the safe return of Blaine and Nathaniel to their family and the restoration of stability in their lives.

FAQ

Who are the missing children in this case?

The missing children are five-year-old Blaine Baier and three-year-old Nathaniel Baier, also known as Nate. Both boys were born in the United States and previously lived in Colorado.

Who is Nishika Samaratunga?

Nishika Samaratunga is a British national and the mother of the missing boys. She is reportedly from a prominent Sri Lankan family and previously worked in executive consulting and recruitment.

Why are authorities searching for the children?

Authorities are searching for the children because they were allegedly not returned to their father after a court-approved visit to the UK in March 2026.

When were the boys last seen?

The children were last seen on March 29, 2026, when they were expected to be returned to their father at an airport in the UK.

Why is the case attracting international attention?

The case involves cross-border custody disputes between the United Kingdom and the United States, concerns over child welfare and allegations of international parental child abduction.

Do the children have any medical conditions?

According to their father, both boys have autism, making concerns about disruption to routine, education and healthcare particularly significant.

Has the High Court become involved?

Yes. The High Court in London has allowed details of the case to be published and has issued several tracing orders to help locate the children.

What have US authorities said?

A Colorado judge reportedly authorised law enforcement to take custody of the children, citing concerns that they may be at risk.

What is international parental child abduction?

International parental child abduction occurs when one parent removes or retains a child in another country without the consent of the other parent or in violation of court orders.

Have the children been found?

As of July 2026, there is no public confirmation that the children have been located, and the search remains ongoing.

Why are experts concerned about the children’s welfare?

Legal representatives and family experts say prolonged disappearance, lack of routine and possible disruption to medical care may negatively affect the wellbeing of the children, especially given their young age and autism diagnoses.