A British tea heiress is facing serious legal action after she was accused of keeping her two young sons hidden from their American father following a court-approved visit to the United Kingdom. Nishika Samaratunga, 34, is now the subject of High Court proceedings after she allegedly failed to return the children to the United States at the end of March.
The case has attracted widespread attention because Samaratunga comes from a well-known Sri Lankan tea family. However, the legal dispute is focused on the welfare of her two sons, Blaine Baier, 5, and Nathaniel 'Nate' Baier, 3, and whether they were wrongfully kept in Britain after a custody visit.
According to The Telegraph, the children travelled to the UK in March under a court-approved parenting arrangement following Samaratunga's divorce from their father, Ben Baier. They were expected to return to Colorado on 29 March, but the planned handover reportedly never took place.
Court-Approved Visit Took an Unexpected Turn
The visit was part of a custody agreement that allowed the boys to spend time with their mother in Britain. Court records indicate that the arrangement had been approved before the children travelled from the United States.
Ben Baier has said he expected his sons to return home after the visit ended. Instead, he claims Samaratunga failed to bring the children to the airport for their scheduled flight back to Colorado.
Since then, the boys have not been publicly located. Their disappearance has led to a growing legal battle in England, where Baier is asking the High Court to order their return.
Father Begins High Court Proceedings
Baier has launched legal proceedings in the High Court in an effort to reunite with his sons. His legal team argues that the children should be returned to the United States, where they had been living before travelling to Britain.
Blaine and Nathaniel Baier with their father Ben, whose lawyers have raised concerns about the children’s welfare - Ben Baier pic.twitter.com/PETkEYxLNV
— 트 (@www_eylie) July 17, 2026
Lawyers representing Baier also raised concerns about the children's day-to-day lives since they reportedly disappeared. According to court filings, they believe the boys may not be attending school or nursery and could be missing important medical appointments.
The court has not publicly confirmed where Samaratunga or the children are staying. The legal process is continuing while authorities work to determine their whereabouts.
Concerns Raised Over Children's Wellbeing
Baier has spoken publicly about the emotional impact the case has had on his family. He said he never expected his former wife to keep the children away from him after their marriage ended.
The father also explained that both Blaine and Nate have autism. He said stable routines are especially important for their learning, development, and emotional health.
'The collapse of my marriage has been an incredibly trying time, but I never believed that Nishika would abduct Blaine and Nathaniel and then conceal their whereabouts in an effort to keep them from me', Baier said in a statement.
He added that the sudden disruption to the children's lives could affect their wellbeing. Baier urged anyone with information about their location to come forward and help bring them home safely.
Who Is Nishika Samaratunga?
Samaratunga has been described as a member of a prominent Sri Lankan tea family with business ties that stretch back generations. Reports have referred to her as a tea heiress because of her family's long-standing connection to the country's tea industry.
British Tea Heiress Nishika Samaratunga pic.twitter.com/BDPbi21oNs
— 트 (@www_eylie) July 17, 2026
Although her family background has received attention, it is not the focus of the legal proceedings. The High Court case centres on the custody arrangement and whether the children were wrongfully kept in the UK after the agreed visit ended.
Neither Samaratunga nor her legal representatives have publicly responded to the latest claims being reported. It is unclear whether any formal defence has been filed in relation to the allegations.
Search for the Boys Continues
More than three months after the scheduled return flight, Blaine and Nate have still not been publicly located. The High Court proceedings remain active as efforts continue to determine where the children are.
Baier has repeated his appeal for the safe return of his sons. He said he hopes they can soon return to their home in Colorado and continue the routines that support their health and development.
As the legal case moves forward, the court is expected to consider further evidence from both sides before deciding the next steps. Until then, the whereabouts of the two boys remain unknown, and the international custody dispute continues.
