The Birmingham mum facing up to 10 years in jail for kidnapping her own daughter is flying back to Canada to face the music.
Samantha Deen will go back to her adopted home across the Atlantic within the next few days to answer a charge that she abducted her daughter Jenny.
She made the agonising decision after learning she might get less jail time if she returned voluntarily rather than be extradited. Twelve-year-old Jenny must also return to Canada with her and will either be placed in foster care or handed to her father, James Safronick.
"It's been a very stressful time but I feel I have no choice other than to surrender," Samantha said.
"My lawyer in Canada wants me to go back as soon as possible. I don't know what else to do because I don't want to spend years in jail while my daughter grows up without me.
"It's very difficult because the Canadian authorities are saying Jenny will either be placed in foster care or go back to her father."
The Evening Mail exclusively revealed Samantha's plight last week. The Sparkbrook-born 38-year-old grew up in Canada but fled when Jenny was just seven after a court refused to deny the child's father access to her.
Samantha said Safronick had a drink problem and she feared for her daughter's safety when she was in his care. The mother and daughter settled in Erdington and were joined by Samantha's son, Tyler, now 18.
But they were tracked down and Samantha was arrested by Scotland Yard detectives last month. She was bailed until June 17 at Bow Street Magistrates' Court in London last week. Now Samantha must raise funds for a lawyer. Anyone wanting to help can call the Evening Mail on 0121 234 5606.
