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Utah Siblings Who Vanished on Thanksgiving Found in European Orphanage, as Police Arrest Mom Who Left Behind ‘To-Do List’

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Utah Siblings Who Vanished on Thanksgiving Found in European Orphanage, as Police Arrest Mom Who Left Behind ‘To-Do List’

Elleshia Anne Seymour, 35, is facing four counts of custodial interference and removing a child from the state

NEED TO KNOW

Four children who were allegedly abducted by their mother from Utah have been located at an orphanage in Croatia, according to their family
Landon Seymour, 11, Levi Parker Seymour, 8, Hazel Raye Seymour, 7, and 3-year-old Jacob Kurt Brady disappeared following a Thanksgiving visit with their mother Elleshia Anne Seymour
Elleshia, 35, was arrested in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, local authorities say

The four Utah children who disappeared after spending Thanksgiving with their mother have been located at an orphanage in Croatia, and the mom has been arrested.

Elleshia Anne Seymour, 35, was already facing charges in Utah after she allegedly abducted her four children and fled on a one-way flight to Europe on Nov. 29, 2025, PEOPLE previously reported.

Seymour’s ex-husband Kendall Seymour identified the children in a GoFundMe as Landon Seymour, 11, Levi Parker Seymour, 8, Hazel Raye Seymour, 7, and 3-year-old Jacob Kurt Brady.

On Sunday, Jan. 25, Kendall shared an update on the fundraiser that the children are “trapped” at a state-run orphanage. Kendall is the father to three of the four children.

Elleshia was arrested in Dubrovnik, about 400 miles from the Croatian capital of Zagreb, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to DNEVNIK, a leading local news agency, on Monday, Jan. 26.

Utah Siblings Who Vanished on Thanksgiving Found in European Orphanage, as Mom Still Missing After Doomsday Messages

Elleshia Seymour’s children with Kendall Seymour (left); and Elleshia Seymour.GoFundMe (2)

Another local outlet, 24 Sata, also reported on the arrest, citing a statement from the ministry, although the ministry did not name the woman in its statement.

Elleshia was arrested in connection with a criminal case involving violation of the rights of a child, the outlets reported.

PEOPLE has reached out to the ministry for confirmation.

The U.S. Department of State told PEOPLE it is aware of the reports but declined to comment further, citing privacy concerns.

Mom allegedly abducted her children, fearing ‘end times’ were coming

A mom is accused of abducting her children, fearing that the “end times” were coming.gofundme

The children’s alleged abduction came to light following a welfare check on Dec. 2, when West Jordan Police Department arrived at Elleshia’s residence and found it unoccupied and unlocked, ABC4 Utah previously reported, citing court records.

Elleshia, who shares custody with the fathers of her children, allegedly feared it was the “end of times” and had concerns of “biblical events,” a former boyfriend previously told KSL Utah.

“I didn’t really know anything about her end-of-times beliefs until after this all happened,” ex-husband Kendall further told the outlet. “It didn’t come up in our marriage or after our divorce.”

In the GoFundMe, Kendall alleged that Elleshia “left behind a note dictating a delusional message from God promising her she would be in Italy by Christmas, and a to-do list that mentioned ‘shred paperwork, destroy identifying photos, throw away phone, purchase pre-paid phone.'”

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Seymour Family, Mom allegedly abducted her children, fearing ‘end times’ were coming

Elleshia Seymour with three of her kids and ex-husband Kendall Seymour.gofundme

It was not immediately clear if the children have been removed from the orphanage.

Despite Kendall’s online pleas to return the children back to the U.S., the Croatian Institute for Social Work has called for a thorough review of the case, 24 Sata, DNEVNIK and Teleskop reported.

“Given the international element of the case, it is essential that the competent authorities of the United States of America conduct a review of all relevant facts and circumstances before making a decision to hand over the children to the father,” the institute said in a statement.

PEOPLE has reached out to the institute for comments.

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Mom Allegedly Abducted Her 4 Children and Fled Overseas as She Feared ‘End Times’ Were Coming: Police

In Utah, Elleshia is facing four counts of custodial interference, local authorities said, per KSL and ABC4 Utah.

While the case began with the West Jordan Police, it was transferred to the FBI. Both the FBI and West Jordan police declined to comment on the investigation.

The case is now being passed on to Croatian police, local officials further told KSL. It wasn’t immediately clear if the FBI is still investigating.

Other entities, such as Croatia’s foreign affairs office, the U.S. consulate in Croatia, and the Utah Department of Public Safety, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comments.

Kendall is seeking further donations on GoFundMe to help him cover travel costs while continuing to stay in Croatia as he tries to release the children.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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“FBI BREAKTHROUGH: The mask is about to come off. Federal investigators have confirmed the recovery of a glove belonging to the suspect in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping—and it’s a forensic goldmine. 🧬🏛️ The glove contains a clear DNA profile, providing the ‘smoking gun’ evidence needed to identify the masked individual once and for all. No more hiding in the shadows. With this genetic footprint, the FBI is closing in fast. The countdown to an arrest has officially begun. See the forensic details of the ‘Final Discovery’ in the comments.

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“FBI BOMBSHELL: The search for Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapper just hit a massive breakthrough. Federal agents have recovered a glove belonging to the masked suspect, and it’s carrying the one thing he couldn’t hide: HIS DNA. 🧬🏛️ This forensic ‘smoking gun’ is the key investigators needed to unmask the monster behind the abduction. The trail is no longer cold—the DNA is being processed as we speak, and an arrest is imminent. The secrets of the desert are finally being exposed. Full forensic update in the comments below.

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**”A HERO AT 12, A FIGHTER FOREVER. The halls of Tumbler Ridge High School will never forget the name Maya Gebala—the unsung hero who stared down a monster to protect her friends. But as she remains in critical condition at BC Children’s Hospital, the ‘miracle’ we’ve been praying for has taken a gut-wrenching turn. The latest updates from her hospital bed offer a haunting mix of hope and heartbreak. Her mother has just come forward with a revelation about the doctors’ warnings that will shatter your heart all over again. It’s not just about surviving anymore; it’s about the permanent scars left behind by a shooter fueled by darkness. While Maya shows flashes of strength, the medical team is issuing a stark reality check on the damage caused by the bullet fragments still lodged in her brain. The bravery she showed that day came at a cost no child should ever have to pay. You need to read the Full Family Statement and the terrifying ‘Final Warning’ issued by her neurosurgeons today—a detail so tragic it has left the entire nation in shock. Maya stood for us; now we must stand for her. Full details and the prayer vigil schedule in the comments below.
**”A HERO AT 12, A FIGHTER FOREVER. The halls of Tumbler Ridge High School will never forget the name Maya Gebala—the unsung hero who stared down a monster to protect her friends. But as she remains in critical condition at BC Children’s Hospital, the ‘miracle’ we’ve been praying for has taken a gut-wrenching turn. The latest updates from her hospital bed offer a haunting mix of hope and heartbreak. Her mother has just come forward with a revelation about the doctors’ warnings that will shatter your heart all over again. It’s not just about surviving anymore; it’s about the permanent scars left behind by a shooter fueled by darkness. While Maya shows flashes of strength, the medical team is issuing a stark reality check on the damage caused by the bullet fragments still lodged in her brain. The bravery she showed that day came at a cost no child should ever have to pay. You need to read the Full Family Statement and the terrifying ‘Final Warning’ issued by her neurosurgeons today—a detail so tragic it has left the entire nation in shock. Maya stood for us; now we must stand for her. Full details and the prayer vigil schedule in the comments below.

Tumbler Ridge shooting: Maya Gebala shot in head and neck while desperately trying to lock out shooter ‘They…

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**”A MOTHER’S WORST FEARS REALIZED. 💔🚨 12-year-old Maya Gebala, the unsung hero of the Tumbler Ridge High School tragedy, remains in critical condition at BC Children’s Hospital—and the latest updates from her bedside are a devastating mix of hope and heartbreak. While we cling to every small sign of life, the details Maya’s mother just shared about the doctors’ latest warnings will break your heart all over again. The road to recovery isn’t just long; it’s a battleground. As Maya fights for a future she nearly gave up to save her classmates, the medical team is being brutally honest about the permanent toll the ‘sinister’ shooter’s actions have taken on her young body. From the bullet fragments still posing a threat to the uncertainty of her neurological recovery, the weight of this nightmare is growing heavier by the hour. You need to see the Full Family Statement and the specific ‘Warning’ doctors issued today that has left the community in tears. Maya protected her friends—now, she needs the world to pray for her. Full medical breakdown and how to support the Gebala family in the comments.

Tumbler Ridge shooting: Maya Gebala shot in head and neck while desperately trying to lock out shooter ‘They…

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THE END OF HOPE: THE FINAL DISCOVERY 🕊️💔 **”A NATION’S HEART BREAKS WITH SAVANNAH. The hope that sustained us for weeks has officially vanished, replaced by a grief so profound it has brought the world of broadcast news to a standstill. Today, February 15, 2026, the Tucson Police Department delivered the final, devastating update we all feared: the search for Nancy Guthrie has reached its tragic conclusion. In a broadcast that will be remembered for years, Savannah Guthrie appeared live, unable to hold back the tears as she shared the news that her mother would not be coming home. Her raw, trembling voice transformed this investigation into a visceral lesson in loss and the fragility of life. Forensic evidence discovered in the remote Arizona desert led authorities to the final location, shifting this mission from a rescue to a criminal pursuit for justice. Savannah’s courage in this moment is nothing short of heroic. You won’t believe the heartbreaking final message she shared about the last time she spoke to her mother—a detail so personal it has left even veteran reporters in tears. Before the family requests privacy, you need to see the Full Live Transcript and the Digital Memorial Tribute below. The desert has given up its secrets, but the cost has been far too high. Full details of the ‘Final Discovery’ in the comments.

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**”A DAUGHTER’S WORST NIGHTMARE. 🚨🕯️ The world of broadcast news came to a standstill today as Savannah Guthrie delivered the final, heartbreaking update on her mother’s disappearance. Live on air, with a voice trembling from a grief too profound for words, Savannah confirmed that Nancy Guthrie has been found in the outskirts of the Arizona desert. What was once a high-profile search is now a pursuit for criminal justice. The grace Savannah has shown in the face of this ‘Final Discovery’ is nothing short of heroic, but the cost of the truth has been devastating. Even veteran reporters were left in tears by the personal details Savannah shared about their final moments together. Find the full details of the investigation and join the community in honoring Nancy’s memory in the comments below.
**”A DAUGHTER’S WORST NIGHTMARE. 🚨🕯️ The world of broadcast news came to a standstill today as Savannah Guthrie delivered the final, heartbreaking update on her mother’s disappearance. Live on air, with a voice trembling from a grief too profound for words, Savannah confirmed that Nancy Guthrie has been found in the outskirts of the Arizona desert. What was once a high-profile search is now a pursuit for criminal justice. The grace Savannah has shown in the face of this ‘Final Discovery’ is nothing short of heroic, but the cost of the truth has been devastating. Even veteran reporters were left in tears by the personal details Savannah shared about their final moments together. Find the full details of the investigation and join the community in honoring Nancy’s memory in the comments below.

THE SEARCH IS OVER: SAVANNAH GUTHRIE BREAKS DOWN LIVE AS POLICE DELIVER THE F!NAL, HEARTBREAKING UPDATE IN HER…

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**”A GLIMMER OF LIGHT ON DAY 4. 🚨💪 Maya Gebala is showing the world what it means to fight. Nurses report that she is now trying to initiate her own breaths and is showing pupil response—small signs that mean everything in this critical hour. The family’s message is simple: One breath at a time. They are seeing the progress they’ve been praying for. She isn’t giving up, and neither are we. Stay with us for the full update on Maya’s condition in the first comment.

Encouraging Signs on Day 4 of Maya Gebala’s Recovery Journey A hopeful update has emerged on Day 4…

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“BEYOND THE BROADCAST. 📺💔 As the search for Savannah Guthrie’s family continues, Craig Melvin is proving that friendship goes far deeper than the studio lights. Choosing to step away from the headlines to offer his unwavering support, Craig’s gesture has touched the hearts of millions. In a world of constant noise, his silence speaks volumes. It’s a testament to a bond that refuses to let a colleague walk through the fire alone. We stand with Savannah, and we applaud the kindness that reminds us we are human first, and professionals second. 🕊️

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“MORE THAN JUST COLLEAGUES. 📺💔 Putting humanity before the broadcast, Craig Melvin has paused his major career plans to support Savannah Guthrie during her family’s darkest hour. No search for medals, no chasing cameras—just the quiet power of being there. As the agony of the search continues, Craig’s decision serves as a beacon of light, reminding us all that showing up for each other is the most important role we can ever play. True friendship shines brightest in the shadows.

Craig Melvin Steps Back From Olympic Coverage to Stand With Savannah Guthrie During a Family Crisis, Choosing Presence…