Shortly after her birth, the mother started showing erratic behavior, yelling at her husband that she didn't need him anymore. The very next day, he came home to a completely stripped house with even the furniture gone. In shock, he called his mother-in-law who stated the marriage was over and that he would never see Samantha again. Claiming she had called the police, on him for physically abusing the mother and child.

The police investigated and found no signs of abuse. After which the now ex husband (mike) filed for full custody in the divorce case. While the courts were playing out, it was ordered that she share custody with Mike. After a week long stay with the mother, the child returned to Mike with bruises. Taking the child to the doctors and police, it was concluded they occurred under the mothers care, but were inconclusive on how they occurred.

The courts then appointed a psychiatrist to evaluate both the mother Ann and Mike. It was determined that there was something odd about how she treated her child.

In the following 11 months, the mother took the child to 7 different doctors, hired 11 psychiatrist and 23 different lawyers. Reportedly a classic behavior of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy

"Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSbP), also known as Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA), is a form of abuse in which a caregiver, typically a parent or guardian, fabricates or induces illness or injury in someone under their care. This could be a child, elderly relative, or dependent adult. The caregiver exaggerates, lies about, or actively causes symptoms in the victim, often leading to unnecessary medical interventions, hospitalizations, and sometimes even death.

The motivation behind MSbP is complex and may involve seeking attention, sympathy, or a sense of control over the victim's life. The perpetrator may appear to be overly concerned about the victim's health and may actively seek medical attention for them, creating a cycle of medical encounters that reinforces their deceptive behavior."

The final diagnosis for the mother was that she had severe personality disorder with a mixture of traits other disorders. After this outcome, the Mike was given full custody, However the mother appealed the decision, which meant the mother still had the right to see the child. On February 3, 2001, the father dropped Samantha off at the police station for an overnight stay with Ann the day before the ruling,. When he returned to the police station the next day to get his daughter, the mother did not return.

The mother, Ann, SUV was found abandoned in Brooklyn 2 months after they vanished. To this date Samantha or the mother Ann have not been seen.