Authorities launched a desperate search for two brothers under 2-years old who vanished after their “seriously depressed” dad skipped a custody exchange in Utah on Saturday.
Dane Stephen Richman, 46, allegedly abducted his sons, almost 2-year-old Will Richman and 10-month-old Wesley Richman, sometime over the last week, the boys’ distraught aunt claimed on Facebook.
The boys haven’t been seen since Richman picked them up at their mother’s house in Shelton, Washington on May 16.
Richman and his ex-partner were in the midst of a custody dispute when he suddenly vanished. He was supposed to turn the boys back over to their mother at his home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, on Saturday, but never showed up, according to an AMBER alert issued by the Utah Department of Public Safety.
The alert warned that Richman was “seriously depressed,” facing financial ruin, and “abandoned his home after selling off his belongings” — indicating that the children may “face imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.”
Kate Walters, the boys’ aunt, said that Richman “moved out of his home” without notifying anyone on Friday, but neighbors hadn’t seen him since Wednesday.
Richman also missed a custody deposition with his lawyer on Friday, according to the AMBER alert.
Richman is believed to be traveling in a Black 2025 Toyota Camry with the license plate A561HL. Police noted that his vehicle may have a temporary tag.
“Please, we need your help and prayers for these boys,” Walters begged on Facebook.
An additional electronic AMBER alert was issued to mobile devices in Utah on Sunday morning.
