Photos from top to bottom: Samantha around the time she disappeared; what she might have looked like at age 6; Samantha's mother; what Samantha's mother might have looked like two years after the abduction.
Info and photos from the Charley Project (http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/k/kibalo_samantha.html):
What is Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy? As one article explains...
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: February 3,
2001 from Suffern, New York
Classification: Family Abduction
Date Of
Birth: January 1, 1999
Age: 2 years old
Height and Weight: 2'9, 22
pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Light brown hair, brown eyes.
Samantha may use the alias last names Yermak, Saul, and/or Kaplan.Details of Disappearance
Samantha was last seen in Suffern, New York
on February 3, 2001. She was abducted by her non-custodial mother, Ann Yermak
Kibalo, during a court-ordered vistation. Samantha's father has custody of her.
Photographs and vital statistics for Ann are posted below this case summary.
A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warrant for kidnapping was issued for
her on January 15, 2002. She also has warrants for her arrest on charges ofunlawful flight to avoid prosecution, custodial interference, and unauthorized
use of a motor vehicle. Her last known address was in New Hyde Park, New York.
Ann and Samantha were originally traveling in a black four-door 1996 Suzuki
Sidekick Sport with a gold-colored bumper and New York license plates. It has
since been recovered in a parking garage in the New York City, New York boroughof Brooklyn. They may be accompanied by a 12-pound red miniature Tibetan Spaniel
or Tibetan Terrier dog named Vodka. They may frequent doctor's offices and other
medical facilities. Ann and Samantha may be with an adult female relative. They
may be in the New York City, New York area, or in Palm Beach County or Boynton
Beach, Florida; Illinois; or New Hampshire.
Samantha is believed to be at
risk; her mother may have been abusing her prior to her disappearance. Ann may
suffer from Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy, which would cause her to harm
Samantha and/or subject her to unnecessary medical treatment. Samantha's case
remains unsolved.
Ann Yermak Kibalo Left and Center: Ann Yermak Kibalo;
Right: Age-progression to age 40 (circa 2003)
Date of Birth: March 25, 1963
Age: 37 years old Height and Weight: 5'0, 115 - 120 pounds Distinguishing
Characteristics: Brown hair, blue eyes. Ann wears eyeglasses while driving. She
may use the last names Yermak, Saul, and/or Kaplan. Ann may have cut her hair
short and dyed it blonde. She has worked as an accountant. Medical Conditions:
Ann has a dental condition and may seek medical treatment for it. She is
mentally unstable; she has a severe personality disorder and several traits from
other disorders, and may suffer from Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy, which could
cause her to harm Samantha. Ann is classified as disabled.
Investigating Agency If you have any information concerning this case,
please contact: Rockland County Sheriff's Office 845-638-5400 OR 845-638-5440
This is known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, meaning the mother uses the
child's fake illnesses to gain attention.
In 95% of cases the mother is the
one abusing the child this way; in other cases, the father, grandparent, or even
babysitter may be the abuser. Some mothers go beyond making up symptoms to
actually causing symptoms.
In time the child can come to believe that he or
she really is sick. Some abused children fear contradicting their mothers, or
feel that no one will believe the truth if they tell it.
Read the rest of the article at http://rarediseases.about.com/cs/munchausensynd/a/091402.htm?terms=%22munchausen+by+proxy%22. As you can see, Samantha is in serious danger if she is indeed a victim of Munchausen by Proxy, because it is simply a lesser-known form of child abuse. So please, if you know anything about the whereabouts of Ann and Samantha Kibalo, call the Rockland County Sheriff's Office at the number listed above.
