On January 28, 2001, 37-year-old Ann Yermak Kibalo and her two-year-old daughter, Samantha, vanished from New Hyde Park, New York. Their disappearance occurred during a turbulent period, as Ann was in the midst of a contentious divorce and custody battle with her estranged husband, Mike Kibalo. Concerns for Samantha's welfare had been raised prior to her disappearance, stemming from what was described as Ann's erratic behavior and numerous unsubstantiated health issues she claimed for her daughter. A court-appointed psychiatrist had expressed concerns that Ann might be suffering from a severe personality disorder, and possibly Munchausen syndrome by proxy. In the days leading up to their disappearance, Mike Kibalo had been awarded full custody of Samantha, with Ann granted supervised visitation rights. The last confirmed sighting of Ann and Samantha was during a court-ordered, overnight visitation.
The day after the scheduled visit, Ann failed to return Samantha to her father at the agreed-upon location, a local police station. This failure to appear triggered an immediate investigation. Two months later, Ann's Suzuki Sidekick was discovered abandoned in a parking garage in Brooklyn, New York, but a search of the vehicle yielded no clues as to their whereabouts. Authorities issued a felony warrant for Ann's arrest on charges of custodial interference and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Investigators believe Ann may be using aliases, including Ann Yermak, Ann Saul, or Ann Kaplan, and could be frequently moving to avoid being found. It is also thought that she might be traveling with her red Tibetan terrier named Vodka.
Over the many years since Ann and Samantha disappeared, the case has remained open, with law enforcement agencies continuing to seek information. There have been unconfirmed sightings in various locations, including New Mexico, and detectives have considered the possibility that Ann and Samantha could be in Florida, where Ann has extended family. Because Samantha was so young when she was taken, it is believed that she may not even be aware that she is a missing person. The case is a heart-wrenching story of a parental abduction rooted in a troubled marital history and serious mental health concerns. The central mystery is not only where Ann has concealed herself and her daughter for so many years, but also the state of Samantha's well-being, having been raised in isolation from her father and other family members who continue to search for her.Last Seen: Jan 28, 2001
