Woman attempting to cross Rainbow Bridge charged with international parental kidnapping

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A California woman was charged with international parental kidnapping after allegedly trying to flee to Canada with a 12-year-old daughter she did not have legal custody of, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Thursday.

According to officials, 55-year-old Mei Tian took an Uber with her daughter to the border to make entry into Canada on the evening of Sept. 27. She allegedly presented a letter saying she had permission from her husband to bring her daughter to Canada but an officer believed the signature to be forged and the letter to be inauthentic.

Tian and her daughter had to re-enter the U.S. at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls.

Records found that Tian had no legal right to take her daughter out of the country, that her daughter was prohibited by court order from leaving the country and that the pair had been "on the run" since August.

Further investigation determined that the girl's father was her sole custodian. She was visiting her mother and was scheduled to be returned to her father Aug. 11, but never was. Tian was allegedly planning to bring her daughter to China after arriving in Canada.

Tian was charged by criminal complaint with international parental kidnapping and making a false statement to Customs and Border Protection officers. She faces a maximum of eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine.