Former Neighbours star filmed snatching son from estranged partner following custody dispute
Former Neighbours star Eliza Szonert grabbed her child from her estranged partner in a dramatic scene that played out in a Malaysian restaurant.
Szonert was filmed snatching her son on Thursday morning from the Kuala Lumpur restaurant in an ongoing row with former partner Ashley Crick, a entertainment industry businessman.
Two large men who work for a company that assists parents to take back their children in custody battles accompanied the actress, Fairfax reports.
The organisation asked not to be named out of fear their employees' safety could be jeopardised.
Szonert approached Crick with the two men who staunched Mr Crick as he sat at a table in the Mid Valley Mega Mall.
With her former partner blocked, Szonert grabbed the young boy who reportedly appeared to be in distress.
Szonert later issued a statement to say she had "safely recovered my child".
Mr Crick is still yet to provide comment on the situation.
Szonert reportedly travelled to Malaysia with her son to visit Mr Crick, but an apparent breakdown in their relationship allegedly saw her forced from her accommodation without her child or passport.
The row between Szonert and Mr Crick involved officials from the Australian High Commission.
Fairfax claimed the embassy was understood to have made representations regarding the passport but was unable to become involved in the custody issues due to legal issues.
Malaysia is not a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
Szonert, who has appeared in Neighbours, Underbelly and the film The Dish, was in a relationship with Mr Crick for four years.
The relationship ended three years ago and Mr Crick, who is an accomplished skydiver, since relocated to Malaysia to roll out iflix, an online video platform similar to Netflix.
