West Jordan Police are actively searching for four children believed to have been taken overseas by their biological mother, Elleshia Anne Seymour, in violation of a joint custody agreement. Authorities have issued a temporary emergency protective order and a no-bail arrest warrant for the 35-year-old mother, who faces four counts of custodial interference, classified as a third-degree felony.
The missing children are identified as Landon Hal Seymour, 10, Levi Parker Seymour, 8, Hazel Rae Seymour, 7, and Jacob Kurt Brady, 3. Their father, Kendall Seymour, last saw them from November 24 to 25 when he dropped them off at school at the start of their mother’s scheduled custody time for the Thanksgiving break.
Kendall became alarmed when the children’s babysitter reached out on December 2, inquiring why they hadn’t attended daycare. Reflecting on the disturbing situation, he stated, “It has been three weeks now,” and expressed how unexpected this development was. He noted that Elleshia lacks family or contacts in Europe, raising concerns about her well-being.
According to court documents, Elleshia Seymour had recently spoken with her ex-boyfriend about obtaining passports and leaving the country, citing fears relating to possible biblical events and the “end of times.” In her apartment, police found a notebook with plans to destroy documents and discard phones and passports.
Surveillance footage from Salt Lake City International Airport shows Elleshia and the children boarding a one-way flight to Amsterdam, which ultimately leads to Croatia. In a voicemail left for her other ex-husband on December 2, she claimed to be in France with the children, stating that she was looking for permanent housing and needed to ensure their safety due to her belief that the “end times” were near.
Kendall expressed deep concern about her mental state, stating he had only learned about her troubling beliefs recently through social media. “My only hope is that she is motivated to protect them,” he said, underscoring that there had been no indicators of such fears during their marriage or divorce.
Authorities share these concerns, with charging documents revealing witness accounts that Elleshia has had emotional difficulties and hallucinations in the past. Kendall’s priority remains clear: he wants to bring his children home. “I just want the kids to be found,” he said, adding, “I would tell them I love them and I want to see them for Christmas.”
West Jordan Police are urging anyone with information about the children’s whereabouts to come forward. To assist Kendall with potential travel costs to Europe to retrieve his children once located, a GoFundMe account has been established.
The situation underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts between law enforcement and the community to ensure the safe return of the children, fostering hope for a reunion during the holiday season.