Recent photographs of Kaura Taylor have surfaced following her family’s worries that she might have been ‘brainwashed’.
Taylor, aged 21, departed from her home in Dallas, Texas, back in May, prompting her mother to file a missing person report shortly thereafter. It has now come to light that she is residing in the Scottish Highlands, a great distance from her original home.
It is reported that she left with her young daughter, who is now in the care of Scottish authorities.
Earlier this month, Taylor’s mother, Melba Whitehead, was actively trying to gain custody of her granddaughter.
In other developments, Melba expressed her belief that Taylor has been influenced by the leaders of a group known as the ‘lost African tribe’ that she has joined.
The tribe is under the leadership of Jean Gasho, who calls herself Queen Nandi, and her husband, Kofi Offeh, also known as King Atehene.
Whitehead voiced additional concerns that her daughter might be used as a ‘surrogate’ by Gasho.
She told The New York Times: “This cult is crazy. They pose a threat to everyone around them. I don’t want my daughter dead.”
Taylor, who now identifies as ‘Asnat of Atehene’, has previously requested that UK authorities ‘leave her alone’, stating: “I am an adult, not a helpless child.”
A development that might relieve Taylor’s mother is that the group, now residing on the outskirts of Jedburgh, is facing eviction.
The self-styled Kingdom of Kubala has been ordered to leave the land they occupy by September 22, following legal action initiated by the Scottish Borders Council.
The group had initially been on nearby private land but moved to council property when officials arrived to enforce the eviction.
Despite the deadline, they remained on-site, seen gathered around a campfire and singing, with tents and equipment still in place, showing no sign of departure.
The council is expected to seek a sheriff’s order to remove the group now that the deadline has passed.
Recent images show the tribe still in their current location as of September 23.
One photograph features ‘King Atehene’ and ‘Queen Nandi’ with Taylor, who appears to be serving them, while another shows her painting her face.
Other images depict the trio engaging in what seems to be a ritual dance, and in one, a wooden block with ‘Trump’ written on it in red paint with a line through it is visible.
The group had been encamped near Jedburgh for several weeks, ignoring previous notices to vacate.
Scott Hamilton, the Conservative deputy leader of Scottish Borders Council, stated that ‘nobody is above the law and no matter how long this takes you can be guaranteed we will not cease’.
He also noted that the group had not engaged with the council, prompting the start of legal proceedings for their eviction.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Borders Council remarked: “The legal process to remove the occupants from the council’s land has commenced and officers will proceed through the next steps as quickly as possible.”
Despite the actions against them, the group remains defiant, declaring on Facebook: “The Kingdom of Kubala can never be destroyed.”