Mother of girl, five, ‘kidnapped’ on US holiday by partner she met on co-parenting website says her daughter is ‘trapped in hotels’ as the fugitive father is given one final chance to return the 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 ‘locked up in hotels’.

The fugitive father was given one last chance this week to return the girl – or face immediate prison time.

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

Mrs Kennedy, now 43, said IT consultant Thomas, 54, had defied court orders by refusing to send their daughter Alice back to Britain, leaving her ‘heartbroken and desperate’.

She has not seen her daughter for more than four months since he took her on a two-week holiday to the United States, following a long-running 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 send their daughter Alice back to Britain, leaving her ‘heartbroken and desperate’.

Mr Thomas broke a court agreement by not returning Alice to her mother’s home in Gorleston-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, on August 6.

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

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

Miss Kennedy previously claimed Thomas says he has not complied because he is ‘afraid’ of the consequences of his return 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 reforms to the UK’s family courts and what he sees as injustices in the system.

The Family Division of the High Court heard that Thomas’ whereabouts are unknown.

She said The times: ‘Alice is just trapped in hotel rooms. When I talk to her, I know she wants to come 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

Mr Thomas broke a court agreement by not returning Alice to her mother’s home in Gorleston-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, on August 6

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

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

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

She hasn’t seen her daughter since Thomas took Alice on a two-week vacation to the United States

‘Philip is trying to blackmail me into meeting his demands. He uses Alice as a way to get what he wants.”

Thomas appeared to show little emotion as he appeared via video link, with Mr Justice Cusworth saying: ‘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 prison sentence until March 7 to give him one last chance to return to Britain.

The judge added: ‘We must ensure that he can come to this country with Alice soon – for his sake, for her sake and for the mother’s sake. He can’t stay on the run with Alice forever.’

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