Interpol searches for American who abducted child from ex-partner in Montenegro and fled towards Albania

(Patria) - American citizen Tracy Shannon Lyn, who has had permanent residency in Bar for four years, reported to the police today that her minor daughter Zynleea Ryan was kidnapped by her father Thomas Hollenbeck, the police confirmed to CdM.

According to Shannon Lyn, Thomas Hollenbeck is her former common-law husband. She told Primorski portal that Thomas Hollenbeck illegally crossed the Montenegrin-Albanian border with their six-year-old daughter. Shannon Lyn was informed through the US Embassy in Podgorica that he had requested a passport for the child at the US Embassy in Tirana. Interpol has been notified of the child abduction.

Shannon Lyn told Primorski portal that she was informed this morning by the US Embassy in Podgorica that Thomas Hollenbeck had requested a passport for Zynleea Ryan at the US Embassy in Tirana.

“A court proceeding is underway in Montenegro regarding the custody of minor Zynleea Ryan. The court has not yet made a final verdict. Last year, in September, the court allowed Thomas to see our daughter twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4 PM to 9 PM. He only started exercising this right in June of this year. Sometimes he was late, but he cited objective reasons, traffic jams. Until last night, he always informed me by phone. However, last night when he didn't bring the child back, I called him, but the phone was turned off. During the night, after 10 PM, I went to the Bar Security Center and reported that the child had not been returned home. I was very worried. I feared he had kidnapped her. Unfortunately, that was confirmed this morning,” Shannon Lyn told Primorski portal.

According to Shannon Lyn, the US Embassy in Tirana confirmed to their colleagues in Podgorica that they had seen the child and that she appeared to be physically well.

The US Embassy in Podgorica, based on Shannon Lyn's statements, recommended that she report everything to the police, as well as Interpol.

It is up to Interpol to order the US Embassy in Tirana to request the extradition of the six-year-old child to her mother in Montenegro.

In her statement to the police, which Primorski portal had access to, Shannon Lyn stated that Thomas Hollenbeck has been convicted of several criminal offenses.