Tammi Hamby, a former Crawford County, Arkansas, library board member, faces felony charges for what prosecutors describe as a staged kidnapping of her own 22-year-old daughter, Jami, who has developmental disabilities. According to a sworn affidavit, Hamby arranged for two men to abduct, zip-tie, and restrain Jami on November 17, 2025, as a “scare tactic” meant to break the young woman’s attachment to an online scammer posing as country singer Luke Bryan.1KATV. Arrest Affidavit for Tamara Hamby Hamby and three co-defendants have pleaded not guilty, and as of June 2026 the trial has been pushed back at least 90 days.2Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Crawford County Kidnapping Trial Delayed
The Plan and Its Stated Motive
Tammi and her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Hamby, held legal guardianship over their adopted daughter. Jeffrey Hamby told reporters an online scammer had built a “trauma bond” with Jami over roughly six months, during which she sent money and came to believe the person she thought was Luke Bryan would come pick her up. Arkansas State Police traced the phone number to Nigeria.3New York Post. Arkansas Mom Orchestrated Staged Kidnapping of Mentally Disabled Daughter Jeffrey Hamby said the family had “pleaded with three different law-enforcement agencies for help and receiving none” before Tammi devised her plan.4The Independent. Mother Kidnapping Daughter Luke Bryan
The affidavit says Tammi consulted Shannon Childers, a certified nursing assistant employed by the family to help care for Jami. Childers recruited two Fort Smith acquaintances, David Quach and Nico Austria, to carry out the abduction.1KATV. Arrest Affidavit for Tamara Hamby
What Happened on November 17, 2025
On the evening of November 17, Quach and Austria lured Jami into a vehicle by telling her, “Sorry, but Luke sent us today. It’s now or never.”54029TV. Van Buren Mom, Ex-Library Board Member Arrested, Accused of Staging Kidnapping According to the affidavit, they drove her to a field, pulled her from the car, zip-tied her wrists, and tied her to a tree with rope. When she broke free, they tackled and restrained her again. They threatened to hurt her if she screamed and at one point threatened to “get the gun,” though no firearm was present. Tammi Hamby watched from a nearby vehicle.1KATV. Arrest Affidavit for Tamara Hamby
After the men left, Jami freed herself, ran to a home on North Rudy Road, and called 911. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office was notified at about 10:40 p.m. Deputies documented red pressure marks and swelling on her wrists and bruising on her arms.6Talk Business & Politics. Former Crawford County Library Board Member Charged With Kidnapping
The Charges and Potential Penalties
Tammi Hamby was arrested on December 3, 2025, and charged with criminal conspiracy to commit kidnapping, a Class A felony, and endangering the welfare of an incompetent person in the first degree, a Class D felony. Her bond was set at $150,000.6Talk Business & Politics. Former Crawford County Library Board Member Charged With Kidnapping Childers, Quach, and Austria face the same charges, with bonds set at $25,000 each. All four were formally charged on December 5, 2025.7River Valley Democrat-Gazette. Defendants in Mock Kidnapping of Former Crawford County Library Board Member Charged
Kidnapping itself is a Class Y felony under Arkansas law, the state’s most serious category, carrying 10 to 40 years or life in prison.8Justia. Arkansas Code Title 5, Section 5-11-102 – Kidnapping Jeffrey Hamby has not been charged, though he publicly described the incident as a “teaching moment.”54029TV. Van Buren Mom, Ex-Library Board Member Arrested, Accused of Staging Kidnapping
Where the Case Stands
All four defendants have entered not-guilty pleas. At a hearing on June 24, 2026, at the Crawford County Courthouse in Van Buren, the trial was delayed by at least 90 days after Tammi Hamby’s new defense attorneys requested more time to prepare.9River Valley Democrat-Gazette. Crawford County Kidnapping Trial Delayed at Request of Defense Hamby had also sought to modify her bond terms, with a hearing scheduled for February 2026.10River Valley Democrat-Gazette. Court Hearing Reset for Former Crawford County Library Board Member
Jami remains out of her parents’ custody. Tammi and Jeffrey Hamby have taken a separate matter to the Arkansas Court of Appeals in an effort to restore Tammi’s contact with her daughter.11River Valley Democrat-Gazette. Tammi and Jeff Hamby Take Case Related to Daughter to Court of Appeals
Fallout Around the Case
After the incident, Jami was placed in state protective custody.54029TV. Van Buren Mom, Ex-Library Board Member Arrested, Accused of Staging Kidnapping Tammi Hamby resigned from the Crawford County Library System board on December 2, 2025, citing a change in residency.12River Valley Democrat-Gazette. Tammi Hamby Resigns From Crawford County Library The family’s Hamby and Hamby Family Medical Clinic in Van Buren was set to close on February 27, 2026, while an attached med-spa was expected to stay open. By early 2026, Jeffrey Hamby was practicing medicine in De Queen, about 131 miles from Van Buren.13Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Van Buren Med Spa Staying Open, Clinic to Close