Ben Baier, an American financier based near Denver, is seeking the return of his two young sons after they were taken from him by his ex-wife, Nishika Samaratunga, five months ago in London. The couple, who separated in 2023, have been embroiled in a protracted and contentious custody dispute spanning two countries.

Baier, 43, was awarded full custody of their sons, Blaine, five, and Nate, three, in a Colorado court in October 2025, following a difficult legal battle. The ex-wife, Samaratunga, 34, a British citizen with Sri Lankan heritage and linked to a prominent tea dynasty, had returned to London after their separation and has since disappeared with the children. Baier has not seen the boys since a court summons was served to him at Heathrow Airport last April, when he had gone to collect them following a visit with their mother.

The case has escalated into an international custody and child abduction investigation. Colorado court documents allege that Samaratunga endangered the children's physical and emotional wellbeing by removing them from Baier’s custody without authorization. The judge cited her for making unfounded allegations of abuse against Baier, describing them as fabricated and made in bad faith. Police investigations reportedly found no criminal basis for her claims.

Baier has expressed deep concern for the welfare of his children, particularly regarding their education and healthcare needs. Both Blaine and Nate have been diagnosed with autism, and Baier claims that under their mother's care in London, the boys were confined mostly to the home, deprived of social interaction and proper schooling. He says that school records indicated significant absenteeism during the months they were with Samaratunga. He also alleges that she prevented Nate from attending preschool and disallowed continued behavioural therapies.

The couple met in 2019 and married in 2020 after a brief courtship. Their relationship reportedly deteriorated amid communication difficulties and increasing isolation, with Baier alleging that Samaratunga distanced him from family and friends and limited his access to the children. Samaratunga filed for divorce in October 2024, and the ensuing legal battles included accusations from her of domestic violence and child abuse against Baier, all of which were dismissed by authorities.

Psychological evaluations conducted as part of the custody proceedings diagnosed Samaratunga with a serious mental health disorder, with recommendations for inpatient treatment. Baier’s evaluation found no such issues. During the dispute, Samaratunga sold a jointly owned business without Baier’s consent, changed passwords to family devices, and used burner phones to evade communication.

Efforts to maintain supervised visitation led Baier to take the children to London for brief periods in December 2025 and March 2026, after which Samaratunga failed to return the boys. She left her London residence to avoid authorities and reportedly remains at large, with Baier believing she is receiving assistance to stay hidden. His only recent confirmation that the boys are alive came from a video shown on Sri Lankan media featuring Blaine.

Baier continues to seek the whereabouts and safe return of his sons, relying on legal counsel in both the United States and the United Kingdom. He maintains a collection of the children’s belongings at his home in Colorado and has appealed publicly for information. His lawyer, Amy Rowe, is handling inquiries related to the case. The complex transatlantic custody battle highlights ongoing challenges in cross-border family law and child protection.