Mother of five-year-old girl ‘kidnapped’ on US holiday by partner she met on co-parenting website says her daughter is ‘trapped in hotels’ as fugitive dad gets last chance to return girl and avoid jail

The mother of a five-year-old girl who was ‘kidnapped’ while on holiday in the US by the partner she met on a co-parenting website has revealed her daughter is ‘trapped in hotels’.

The fugitive father was given one last chance this week to return the girl – otherwise he risks an immediate prison sentence.

Natalie Kennedy was 36 and worried about her body clock when she met Philip Thomas, who was 11 years her senior, on an unregulated parenting website.

Mrs Kennedy, now 43, said IT consultant Thomas, 54, had defied court orders by refusing to return their daughter Alice to the UK, leaving her ‘heartbroken and distraught’.

She has not seen her daughter for more than four months since he took her on a two-week holiday to the US, following a protracted dispute over access arrangements for him to see her.

Miss Kennedy has not seen her daughter for more than four months since he took her on a two-week holiday to the United States

Miss Kennedy said IT consultant Philip Thomas, 54, defied court orders by refusing to return their daughter Alice to the UK, leaving her ‘heartbroken and distraught’

Thomas broke a court agreement by failing to return Alice on August 6 to her mother’s home in Gorleston-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

He then flew with Alice from Florida to Dubai on August 21 and is believed to have been with her ever since in the city-state of the United Arab Emirates.

Family court judges have treated the case as ‘child abduction’ and issued four separate orders to Mr Thomas to bring the youngster home – which have been ignored despite the threat of a fine, jail or seizure of assets if he does not comply.

Miss Kennedy has previously claimed that Thomas says he has not complied as he is ‘scared’ of the consequences of returning and claims his rights as a father have not been properly taken into account.

Thomas has set up his own website called FairParentingUK and an associated podcast, which he uses to campaign for reform of the UK’s family courts and what he sees as injustices in the system.

The High Court’s Family Division heard that Thomas is not known.

She told The times: ‘Alice is just trapped in hotel rooms. When I talk to her, I know she wants to go home, but she puts on a brave face.

Miss Kennedy, from Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, is fighting to get her daughter Alice home from Dubai

Thomas broke a court agreement by failing to return Alice on August 6 to her mother’s home in Gorleston-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

Miss Kennedy last saw her daughter when she dropped her off at school on the last day of term on July 21 this year, allowing Alice’s father to collect her

Miss Kennedy said she had her daughter with Mr Thomas after meeting him on an unregulated co-parenting website which aims to match people who want to share raising a child

Single mum Natalie Kennedy, 43, is pictured with her daughter Alice in happier times

She has not seen her daughter since Thomas took Alice on a two-week vacation to the United States

“Philip is trying to blackmail (me) into giving in to his demands. He’s using Alice as a way to get what he wants.’

Thomas appeared to show little emotion as he appeared via video link as Mr Justice Cusworth said: ‘Playing with Alice as a pawn is not in her best interests’ and ‘It is now time to bring Alice back to this country ‘.

Thomas was given a one-year sentence suspended until March 7 so he can have one last chance to return to the UK.

The judge added: ‘We have to arrange for him to come to this country with Alice soon – for his sake, for her sake and for the mother’s sake. He can’t live on the run with Alice forever.’

Representing Thomas, Edward Bennett told the court: ‘His position is very clear. He is prepared to return in March if there is progress in mediation.’