'Game of Thrones' star Josephine Gillan says Israeli social services 'kidnapped' her 8-month-old daughter, gave child to another family
'Game of Thrones' star Josephine Gillan has claimed that her baby has been "kidnapped" by social services in Israel.
The Briton who played a prostitute named Marei in the blockbuster series said her eight-month-old daughter Gloria was snatched in the middle of the night from a friend who was currently looking after her, Daily Mail reports.
Gloria is seen in distressing footage uploaded by the heartbroken mother being taken away by a woman who is flanked by two men in uniform.
The person filming the incident can be heard in the footage arguing with the social workers, but in vain.
The group is then seen getting into a car and driving off with the baby.
Gillan was undergoing therapy for postnatal depression on the orders of social services when she left her child in the care of her friend.
However, officials took the baby away despite the arrangement being already approved by authorities, according to the actress.
Owing to her Jewish faith, Gillan had moved to Israel to give birth to her baby.
The Kent native earned her living as a sex worker and by featuring in X rated movies before she was eventually called up by 'GoT' producers.
In 2016, she told Daily Mail how the HBO franchise rescued her from a life of prostitution even though she played a prostitute in the series.
Absolutely heartbreaking! 💔😢 My baby being kidnapped in the middle of the night by #israeli #socialservices And I have no idea where she is!! #IsraeliCrimes #sowrong #iwantmybabyback 🙏✡️😫 distressing and disturbing to watch for those with a heart 💓 pic.twitter.com/k1rBaUwmgk
— josephine gillan (@Officialmarei) August 7, 2019
Gillan wrote on social media that she had been left heartbroken by the incident.
"The disturbing moment that the #Israeli #socialservices kidnapped my baby! At 12:30 pm at night on Sunday! My friend pleaded! But was threatened to jail if she did not hand over my baby! me & loving friend and her family! We are all heartbroken!" she said.
"Nothing but sick twisted #socialworkers #socialservices trying to ruin lives and separate a baby from its mother that hasn't done anything wrong! They kidnapped my baby!!!" the actress added.
Gillan reportedly moved to Israel after fearing her child would be taken away by British welfare authorities, according to Israeli media.
"Eight months ago she gave birth in Israel and began to raise her child under close supervision from the social services in her community and with the help of a friend," a person familiar with the situation told Channel 12.
"At a certain stage, she left the baby with a friend and flew to the UK for an extended period, which caused the intervention of the welfare authorities and the courts."
Gillan has since set up a GoFundMe page to help bring back her baby.
"I am Josephine Gillan and I'm an actress from the HBO series Game of Thrones, I'm not currently working as it's finished now and I've been busy with motherhood," she wrote on the fundraising page.
"3 nights ago the social services came in the night at 12:30 am! With the police and kidnapped my daughter and took her to another family!" she continued.
"I'm not allowed to see her or have contact! I have no idea where she is!! I was not there at the time and was not aware of what they had done!"
"I have not done anything wrong and neither has my friend who was caring from her!" she added.