Samantha Elmer, 33, was arrested by FBI agents Tuesday evening at the airport in Kansas City, Mo. She is currently held in the Leavenworth Detention Center until a detention hearing on Monday.

A Lawrence mother admitted on Tuesday to forging her ex-husband’s signature in order to take their two daughters out of the country.

Samantha Elmer, 33, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of aggravated identity theft, the office of Barry Grissom, U.S. Attorney in the District of Kansas, said in a news release.

Forging her ex-husband’s signature allowed Elmer to obtain passports for her daughters, ages 9 and 11.

In October Elmer took the girls to Europe without their father’s knowledge. She was arrested at the airport in Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 8.

Elmer faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. A date for her sentencing has not yet been scheduled.