FBI seeks York Township woman in international parental kidnapping investigation
The FBI is searching for a York Township woman who agents say kidnapped her infant daughter in March and fled to New Zealand, federal court records show.
Bianca Ellen Ormsby, 21, of Beaver Crossing Lane, is charged with international parental kidnapping, according to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday in federal court in Detroit.
Ormsby, who was born in New Zealand and has citizenship there, also was charged last month with kidnapping-custodial interference after an investigaton by the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, county court records show.
Ormsby fled the country March 16 with her daughter, Sydney Thomas, according to an affidavit supporting the complaint by FBI Special Agent James Brennan. The two traveled on a Qantas Airways flight to Auckland, New Zealand, that departed Los Angeles International Airport, the affidavit says.
At the time, Ormsby and Sydney’s father, 21-year-old Adam Thomas, had temporary joint legal custody of Sydney, who was 10 months old, records show.
Under the arrangement, Thomas had Sydney for three days, while Ormsby would take her for the next four, the affidavit says. Then, Thomas would spend four days with Sydney and Ormsby the next three.
On March 9, agents say, Ormsby picked Sydney up from Thomas’ home in Farmington Hills, where he lives with his parents, the affidavit says. There was nothing unusual about the visit, Thomas said. But he hasn't seen Sydney or Ormsby since. Three days later, Thomas went to Ormsby's home in York Township, where she was living with her parents. He was scheduled to pick up Sydney at 7 p.m. under the court-ordered arrangement.
"The house was completely dark," he said.
Thomas attempted to contact Ormsby by phone and e-mail and got sheriff's deputies involved. He said he received an e-mail from Ormsby on April 11, indicating she was in New Zealand and thought being there was best for Sydney. Thomas is eager for Sydney's safe return. Sydney had just learned to crawl the last time he saw her.
“She’s a really good kid,” Thomas said. “She doesn’t cry really at all. It’s all smiles. She’s a real easy baby. She’s beautiful.”
FBI Special Agent Sandra Berchtold, a bureau spokeswoman in Detroit, said on Thursday she did not have additional details on the investigation.
If Ormsby is convicted of the federal charge, she faces up to three years in prison.
Lawyer Kirsten McNelly, who represented Ormsby in the past during the custody battle for Sydney, could not be reached for comment Thursday. Ormsby's father, Dr. Adrian Ormsby, did not return a phone call seeking comment Thursday.
Bianca Ormsby and Thomas had been dating for a couple of weeks when Ormsby, a former University of Michigan student, became pregnant with Sydney. The couple lived in an apartment in Ann Arbor until the end of 2008, then moved in with Thomas' parents. Sydney was born May 9, 2009, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Superior Township, records show.
The couple planned to raise Sydney together and moved into an apartment on East Washington Street in Ann Arbor on July 1, 2009. Thomas was working full-time as a vacuum salesman.
"I was trying to do what was best for Sydney," he said. "I was trying to do that from day one. I worked and paid for everything."
But by mid-July 2009, the couple had separated. Ormsby alleged Thomas was verbally and physically abusive. She obtained a personal protection order against him on July 24, 2009, but it was terminated at her request two months later. During the custody battle, Thomas expressed concerns about Ormsby's mental state, noting that she was hospitalized July 17, 2009, after taking an excessive amount of pain medication, court records show. He also expressed concerns to the court as early as July 2009 that Ormsby might flee to New Zealand with Sydney.
"If there was ever an argument she would make the threat," he said.
According to the affidavit, Ormsby and Sydney traveled with New Zealand passports. Thomas was not aware a passport had been obtained for his daughter, the affidavit says. He is questioning how Ormsby could afford to travel out of the country because she didn't have a job, he said. Thomas was recently given temporary sole legal custody of Sydney, court records show.
"I am constantly worried about my daughter," Thomas said. "I would just ask (Ormsby) to bring her home."
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Candace
Sun, May 30, 2010 : 3:36 p.m.
Sorry, a correction to a small mistake- it was planned that Adam would take Sydney on December 26th for two days, but he never picked her up and did not call to explain why not. He just left without seeing her, going from December 16th to February 10th without seeing or calling his daughter.
Candace
Sun, May 30, 2010 : 3:33 p.m.
A previous poster, Polly, claimed it was awful for Bianca to have caused Adam to miss his daughters first birthday. What Polly didn't realize, is that Adam doesn't really care about such things. Here is the evidence: For Sydney's first Christmas, Sydney was scheduled to be with Bianca through Christmas Eve, then with Adam Christmas day. Due to the situation, Bianca's family celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve to enjoy it with the baby. Adam called that day to let them know he would not be picking Sydney up as planned, because he was going to be out of town. He did take her on the 26th for two days because he was then going out of town for a month. Bianca has been the only full-time, devoted parent that Sydney knows. She keeps Sydney safe, healthy, and happy.
Candace
Thu, May 27, 2010 : 7:20 p.m.
Rent the movie "Not Without My Daughter" or read the book. It is a true story.
Candace
Thu, May 27, 2010 : 7:18 p.m.
Polly, you don't know the full story and you need to stop looking at one side. It is hurtful to the Ormsby's for you to be sticking your nose where it doesn't belong.
Polly
Thu, May 27, 2010 : 12:44 a.m.
I meant crossing boarders without the proper permission is just wrong. That makes it abducting.
Polly
Thu, May 27, 2010 : 12:41 a.m.
The question isn't whether or not the Ormbys are good people or not. No matter what issues there are abducting a child without going through the proper legal channels is just wrong. It's illegal and the responsible thing to do is to return to fix what you have wronged. Sob stories aside legally what has occurred is KIDNAPPING. Plain and simple. One must behave accordingly, thus sadly fleeing does not make her destroys credibly and puts her in the wrong. I'm glad this story is getting some media attention. Regardless of past issues Bianca may have been having with Adam leaving without telling him and with no intention of coming back is just wrong. Adam has every right to be worried sick; Thinking he may never see his baby again and missing her 1st birthday. He can never get that back. The FBI is looking for her and there is a warrant for her arrest. That should be taking seriously. You can't just dismiss it because you are friends with the family. Again I must reiterate that things must be handled properly.
Jennifer
Tue, May 25, 2010 : 7:16 p.m.
Follow the link below to get a little insight to the other side of this story. facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=643989210#!/group.php?gid=128912587123572&ref=ts thanks so much
Candace
Mon, May 24, 2010 : 8:12 p.m.
The Ormsby's are wonderful people. Sydney is safe. Bianca took her to New Zealand because she was worried for her safety after she had to be hospitalized after a visit with Adam. Maybe this wasn't the correct way to handle the situation, but she was reacting as a protective mother.
Lee Higgins
Mon, May 24, 2010 : 12:38 p.m.
Television New Zealand interviewed Adam Thomas last night. Here's a link where you can find the video: http://tvnz.co.nz/close-up/fbi-hunt-kiwi-kidnapper-3566387
Lee Higgins
Sat, May 22, 2010 : 12:02 p.m.
Here's a link to an updated story on the case in The New Zealand Herald: http://tiny.cc/u2rkf
Lee Higgins
Sat, May 22, 2010 : 6:50 a.m.
Here's a link to an article in The New Zealand Herald on the case: http://tiny.cc/e9wj5
Katie
Sat, May 22, 2010 : 12:35 a.m.
Thank you for running this article. I hope little Sydney is safe and gets to see her Daddy soon!
Wolverine3660
Sat, May 22, 2010 : 12:06 a.m.
I hope there are treaties signed between New Zealand and the USA, so that this sad situation can be resolved,and the baby is returned to the father in Michigan. Best of luck, Mr Thomas.
Lindsey
Fri, May 21, 2010 : 7:03 p.m.
As one of Adam's friends I'm happy to see serious attention being brought to this horrible situation. Bianca has attempted to silence us by contacting Facebook and getting our nearly 14,000 member group deleted but she can't outrun the FBI anymore. She needs to pay for what she did and I hope that Sydney is returned to her rightful parents :)
Patrick
Fri, May 21, 2010 : 6:09 p.m.
This is a truly sad story. Hopefully Sydney will be back with her father soon. I am a member of the facebook group Please bring Sydney home. Please join and keep up with whats happening there
Nicole
Fri, May 21, 2010 : 5:36 p.m.
I hope Sydney gets home soon and safe!!
CountyKate
Fri, May 21, 2010 : 2:56 p.m.
Frightening. I hope Mr. Thomas gets to see his daughter soon.
djm12652
Fri, May 21, 2010 : 12:56 p.m.
I hope the father is able to get his daughter back.