Dear Savanna

Lee Barnett lost custody of her infant daughter Savannah in a contentious 1994 South Carolina divorce from Harris Todd, prompting her to flee internationally with the child. For two decades, she lived under aliases—Alexandria "Alex" and later Geldenheis—raising the girl, renamed Samantha, across Malaysia, South Africa, Botswana, New Zealand, and Australia. Arrested in 2011, Lee returned to face charges, serving prison time while maintaining she acted to protect her daughter from an unjust system. The episode presents her account alongside Harris's claims of her violence and mental instability.

The Marriage, Pregnancy, and Custody Fight

Lee, a free-spirited flight attendant from an adventurous family, married stockbroker Harris Todd in Charleston after a five-year friendship turned romantic. Despite Harris stating he never wanted children, Lee became pregnant and hoped he would change. Tensions escalated; Harris denied the pregnancy even late-term and left after an argument where Lee flipped a coffee table. He sought separation, claiming fear of her temper.