Tamara Hamby surrendered to police on 3/12 after being accused of hiring three individuals to kidnap her 22-year-old daughter, Jami, who has intellectual and physical disabilities.

According to authorities, Tamara planned the abduction to teach her daughter a lesson about the dangers of speaking to strangers online. Jami reportedly chatted with many people, including one who claimed to be famous country singer Luke Bryan.

Shannon Childers, an assistant home nurse who helped care for Jami, was informed by Tamara about the staged kidnapping.

Police stated that Tamara intended for someone to pose as a Luke Bryan associate, contact her daughter, and arrange a meeting. This person would then pick up Jami, drive her to a field, demand money, and tie her to a tree. At this point, the mother would appear and "rescue" her daughter. Through this, Tamara aimed to "teach her daughter a lesson" about the dangers of meeting strangers online.

Shannon is accused of recruiting two young men, David Q. Quach and Nico Austria, to assist with the plan.

However, the plan went awry. On 17/11, David and Nico arrived at Tamara’s home wearing ski masks and abducted Jami. Nico took a wrong turn, ending up in a different field than intended, then tied Jami to a tree with a rope. The terrified girl struggled to break free and tried to run, but the duo restrained her and tied her back to the tree. Tamara observed the entire incident.

Jami later managed to escape on her own and ran to a nearby house, where she called 911. The Crawford County Sheriff's Office reported that the girl was extremely frightened, clutching a teddy bear throughout her conversation with deputies.

Tamara Hamby was arrested. Photo: Crawford County Jail

Tamara’s husband, Jeffrey Hamby, told media that his wife was only trying to do the right thing, concerned about their daughter’s online relationships.

"An online predator had built a relationship with her over the past six months, claiming to be singer Luke Bryan. My daughter idolized him," Jeffrey said. After reviewing conversations and messages, Jeffrey noted that the individual had attempted to meet their daughter.

Even after her device was confiscated, Jami still found ways to contact the Luke Bryan impersonator. Arkansas State Police traced the individual's phone number to Nigeria.

"We tried everything, but she wouldn't stop communicating with him, and he intended to take her away. So, my wife, along with the assistant nurse and two friends, tried to intervene without my knowledge," Jeffrey stated. The father admitted the plan was "ill-conceived" and "poorly executed."

According to Jeffrey, Tamara's group had a kidnapping rehearsal on the same day. "They made the rope loose so Jami could wiggle free. But instead, during the struggle, she tightened the rope, bruising her wrists," Jeffrey explained.

Court records show Tamara was charged with conspiracy to kidnap, unlawful imprisonment, abuse of a disabled person, assault, and terroristic threatening. The three other individuals were also arrested in connection with the incident. All four pleaded not guilty and are currently out on bail awaiting trial.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) filed an emergency petition seeking guardianship of Jami.

Tue Anh (according to Nypost, 5News)