Chile… Arkansas is cutting up again. Authorities say Tamara “Tammi” Hamby took “doing too much” to a level nobody asked for. She allegedly plotted a whole fake kidnapping to scare her disabled daughter off the internet. What was supposed to be a tough-love lesson turned into a full-blown criminal circus involving masked men, zip ties, and a young woman who genuinely thought she might not make it out alive.
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A Mother’s Plot Crosses Every Possible Line
According to an arrest affidavit, Tamara Hamby, 59, devised the plan after months of frustration over her 22-year-old daughter’s interactions with an online scammer impersonating country star Luke Bryan. Despite repeated efforts by the family to cut off communication, the daughter, who is mentally disabled, believed the scammer’s claims and continued speaking with him. Investigators say Hamby recruited a live-in caregiver, Shannon Childers, who then enlisted two acquaintances — David Quach and Nico Austria — to pretend to be sent by “Luke Bryan” to take the young woman away.
Masked Men, Zip Ties, And A Desperate Escape
Police report that the plan unfolded on November 17, when Quach and Austria arrived at the family’s home wearing ski masks and telling the daughter it was “now or never.” She willingly left with them, bringing along her guitar and teddy bear, before being taken to a field. Authorities say she was zip-tied to a tree, broke free, and was restrained again. However, she ultimately escaped a second time and called 911 from a nearby home. Officers later interviewed the distressed young woman, who reportedly clung to her teddy bear throughout the interview and said she feared for her life.
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Hamby & Others Arrested As The Fallout Intensifies
Hamby, Childers, Quach, and Austria were arrested and charged with endangering an incompetent person. Additionally, Hamby also faces conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Bond was set at $125,000 for Hamby and $25,000 for the others. Furthermore, the daughter has since been placed into the custody of the Arkansas Department of Human Services. However, her father, Jeffrey Hamby — who was not charged — maintains that he had no knowledge of the alleged plot. Tammi Hamby is expected to return to court on December 10 as the investigation continues.
