8:15pm Sunday 7th October 2007
By Sarah Hilley
THE FAMILY of kidnapped baby Sebastian are appealing for funds to help get him back.
Six-month-old Sebastian was snatched in May by his estranged father Daniel Pavon-Cuellar, 40, from his home in Austin, Texas and taken to Mexico.
Since then mum Samantha Lowry, 24, who is from Bishopstone, has been fighting for the baby's return. The FBI has issued a warrant for Mr Pavon-Cuellar's arrest. He is on the run in his home country.
With mounting legal bills, the family desperately needs financial aid to keep up the search.
The Lowry family say they still have no word of where or how baby Sebastian is and fear for his safety.
A former partner of Mr Pavon-Cuellar, Amy Merritt, came forward to testify to police that he is an "extremely dangerous man".
The Lowry family have set up the Save Baby Sebastian fund and donations can be sent to Barclays Bank.
Samantha has also contacted schools in Swindon asking for fundraising help.
Sebastian's grandmother Susan said: "Samantha is still in despair that despite the amount of interest the British Government say there is within the Mexican authorities, there is still no result.
"Her fear for Sebastian is huge and overwhelming at times, to the point where she cannot function. The strain is constant and is taking its toll."
Authorities have warned Samantha not to go to Mexico, as she would be in grave danger.
She has been granted sole custody of Sebastian while Mr Pavon-Cuellar is classed as an international fugitive.
Mexican authorities have raided three of Pavon-Cuellar's properties in Mexico City with no result.
The family say that they have been told by the FBI that Sebastian's fate lies in the hands of the Mexican government, but they want the US and UK to put more pressure on Mexico.
Mr Pavon-Cuellar has sent hundreds of hate emails about Samantha and her family, slurring the family-owned nursery in Bishopstone, but Swindon police have said there is no truth in the malicious emails about the Hillsborough Children's Nursery.
Samantha's sister Tamara, 22, who has just returned from Texas, said funds were running low.
She said: "Sebastian isn't back and the case is extremely expensive with legal fees.
"Pressures need to be put on the Mexican authorities to accept help from the FBI."
People wishing to donate money can send cheques to the family.
For more information on how to pledge your support, visit www.savebabysebastian.com.
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