Utah Children Abducted by Doomsday Mom Returned Home

Four siblings found abandoned at Croatian orphanage reunited with their father after two-month search

Feb. 4, 2026 at 2:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The four young siblings who were allegedly kidnapped to Europe by their doomsday mother and dumped in a Croatian orphanage have returned home to Utah with their father, Kendall Seymour, after a two-month manhunt. Seymour's ex-wife, Elleshia Anne Seymour, was arrested in Croatia and accused of forging passport documents to take the children - Landon Hal Seymour, 11, Levi Parker Seymour, 8, Hazel Rae Seymour, 7, and Jacob Kurt Brady, 3 - out of the country, convinced the world was ending.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of parental abduction and the trauma it can inflict on children, as well as the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down missing families across international borders. It also raises questions about mental health issues and the role they can play in driving such extreme actions.

The details

Seymour first reported his ex-wife and children missing on December 2nd after Elleshia Seymour allegedly forged passport documents and left two ominous notes at home, including a 'delusional message from God promising her she would be in Italy by Christmas.' The children were eventually found 'trapped in Croatia in a state-run orphanage' before Elleshia Seymour was arrested in the country. In addition to Seymour's three children, a fifth American child who had traveled with Elleshia Seymour was also found at the orphanage, though his relationship to the family is unclear.

  • On November 30, Elleshia Seymour allegedly took her four children on a Delta Airlines flight from Salt Lake City to Croatia.
  • On December 2, Kendall Seymour first reported his ex-wife and children missing.
  • In early February 2026, the four children were reunited with their father Kendall Seymour in Croatia and returned home to Utah.

The players

Kendall Seymour

The father of three of the four children who were abducted and taken to Croatia by his ex-wife.

Elleshia Anne Seymour

The 35-year-old ex-wife of Kendall Seymour who allegedly kidnapped their four children and took them to Croatia, convinced the world was ending.

Landon Hal Seymour

The 11-year-old son of Kendall and Elleshia Seymour who was abducted and taken to Croatia.

Levi Parker Seymour

The 8-year-old son of Kendall and Elleshia Seymour who was abducted and taken to Croatia.

Hazel Rae Seymour

The 7-year-old daughter of Kendall and Elleshia Seymour who was abducted and taken to Croatia.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“WE ARE TAKING THE KIDS HOME!”

— Kendall Seymour, Father (GoFundMe)

“Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has helped us locate and fight for these kids. In no way, shape, or form could we have done this without all of you and our amazing network of family and friends. We don't even know where we would be (or where the kids would be) without you all.”

— Kendall Seymour, Father (GoFundMe)

What’s next

The fifth American child found at the orphanage with Elleshia Seymour and the four children has not been reunited with any family yet, but Kendall Seymour has set up a phone and contact information for the child to reach out for any legal or other assistance needed.

The takeaway

This case underscores the devastating impact parental abduction can have on children and the importance of robust international cooperation and resources to quickly locate and return missing families. It also highlights the need for greater mental health support and intervention to prevent such extreme actions driven by delusional beliefs.