An American mother, wanted in the US on parental kidnapping charges, has been apprehended in Bangkok after allegedly abducting her eight-year-old son and remaining in hiding for nearly two years. The 45-year-old woman, identified as Linda, was arrested on August 19 at an accommodation in Bangkok’s Prawet district, pursuant to a parental kidnapping warrant issued by an Oregon court.
Immigration officials also located her son at the premises and have taken measures to ensure his protection and welfare. The case originated in early 2025 when Linda’s ex-husband, Hassan Mamoud, separated from her. A US court subsequently granted Mamoud custody of their son, citing concerns about Linda’s reported alcohol dependence and mental health issues.
Linda is alleged to have then taken the boy from Mamoud. The father reported his son missing to the police, engaged a private investigator, and launched a website to aid in the search. Mamoud spent over a year and a half searching for his son, a case that garnered significant attention across the United States.
Information eventually led FBI officials to Linda’s location in Thailand. The FBI collaborated with Thai immigration officials, who revoked Linda’s permission to stay in the country before locating her at the Bangkok accommodation. Thai officials took Linda into custody and confirmed her son was found with her and reported to be safe.
Thai authorities have contacted relevant agencies to arrange for the boy’s protection and welfare services, with the ultimate goal of reuniting him with his father. At present, there is no information regarding further legal proceedings against Linda or whether she will be extradited to the US to face charges. It is also unclear if she will receive treatment for her reported health conditions.
This incident follows similar cases reported in Thailand. In 2024, a Thai father surrendered to police after assaulting his young son and taking him from his ex-wife, also confessing to previously forcing the boy to drink bathroom cleaning liquid. Another case that year involved a Thai father accused of taking his 11-year-old daughter to beg, though he denied the allegations.