Pullman Man Charged with International Parental Kidnapping
Search Begins After Aung, Girlfriend, and Daughter Go Missing; Custody Disputes Revealed
According to the report by The Olympian, on July 30 a 21-year-old man from Pullman, Washington named Aaron Aung was charged with international parental kidnapping in federal court. Earlier this spring, Aung sparked an international search after he, his girlfriend, Nadia Cole and his 2-year-old daughter, Seraya went missing. The incident began on May 29 when Seraya’s mother dropped her off with Aung as part of their custody agreement. The agreement stipulated that Seraya would be returned to her mother on June 3 at the Pullman Police Department. On the same day Aung picked up his daughter, his girlfriend, Nadia Cole disappeared after abruptly leaving SeaTac airport before a planned trip with her parents. Police conducted several welfare checks at Cole’s residence in Pullman but couldn’t locate her. Investigators contacted Aung’s parents who said he had taken Seraya to Montana. When Aung didn’t return on time his parents reported them missing. Seraya’s mother reported her missing after Aung missed the June 3 deadline to return her. The court documents reveal ongoing disputes over child support and custody
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Aung Detained in Arizona; Charged with International Parental Kidnapping After Cross-Border Search
The search intensified as federal and local authorities got involved. FBI and Border Patrol agents spotted Aung’s father’s Cadillac crossing the border into Mexico from California on June 1. On July 4 Mexican officials contacted Aung, Cole, and Seraya. Cole was deported back to the U.S. on the same day. Three days later Aung and Seraya were brought to the U.S. border in Arizona by Mexican officials. There Aung was detained on a felony warrant for custodial interference. On Monday, July 30 Aung was formally charged with international parental kidnapping in the Eastern District of Washington federal court. This case highlights the serious consequences of violating custody agreements and underscores the importance of cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities in resolving such cases. Seraya has been safely reunited with her mother while Aung faces federal charges that could lead to significant legal consequences. This case remains under investigation as authorities continue to gather details about the events leading up to the international search and Aung’s motives for taking his daughter and fleeing the country.