Desperate Amber Alert for Two Baby Boys Snatched by Depressed Father Who Warned He Could “Live Anywhere”.
A frantic Amber Alert remains active for two tiny brothers, Will and Wesley Richman, after their father allegedly abducted them during a custody exchange, triggering widespread fear for their safety amid concerns over his mental health and unstable lifestyle.
Elizabeth Tomich, the 36-year-old mother of 22-month-old Will Thomas Richman and 10-month-old Wesley Dane Richman, said she had been deeply worried for months. She claims she explicitly warned her ex-partner Dane Richman’s lawyers during a custody hearing in April that he was capable of disappearing with the children. “I said in my deposition… he could take the kids and go anywhere,” she recalled emotionally.
Dane Stephen Richman, 46, was supposed to return the boys to their mother on Saturday in Saratoga Springs, Utah, following his scheduled week of custody. When he failed to appear at the usual exchange point — either the parking lot of Thanksgiving Point or the nearby Maverick gas station — Tomich immediately reported the children missing. Saratoga Springs Police responded quickly, issuing an Amber Alert as fears grew that the boys were in imminent danger.
Authorities describe Richman as severely depressed and under extreme financial stress. Neighbors reported he had given away all his furniture for free, abandoned his home, and was seen hauling away a motorcycle and truck. One neighbor even offered to pay for some items, but Richman reportedly refused, saying the bank would take everything anyway.
The boys were last seen on May 16 when Richman picked them up from their mother’s home in Shelton, Washington, about an hour southwest of Seattle. The family had been co-parenting on a week-by-week basis since March as their custody battle moved through the Utah court system. Tomich would fly into Utah every Saturday to collect her sons.
Richman is believed to be traveling with the children in a black 2025 Toyota Camry with Utah license plate A561HL, possibly displaying a temporary tag or a Carvana license plate frame. He is described as 6-foot-2, approximately 195 pounds, with brown hair, green eyes, braces, a receding hairline, and several balding spots. He is often seen wearing a baseball cap.
Little Will stands about 2-foot-6 and weighs around 31 pounds, with blonde or strawberry-blonde hair and blue eyes. His baby brother Wesley is 2-foot-2 and weighs about 23 pounds, also with blonde or strawberry-blonde hair and blue eyes. Both boys were last seen in unknown clothing.
Tomich, who maintains a close relationship with Richman’s family and often stays with his mother during visits to Utah, said even Richman’s relatives are cooperating with police but have no idea where he might be. She described Richman’s background as highly transient: he has lived out of his car, in a storage unit, off the grid, been homeless, lived on a beach, and spent several years in prison.
“I told her… this man can live anywhere,” Tomich said of her conversation with Richman’s lawyer, emphasizing his outdoorsy nature and survival skills developed over a lifetime.
The case has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community of Saratoga Springs. Neighbors expressed concern after seeing police activity at Richman’s now-empty property. The Amber Alert has been widely shared across Utah and neighboring states, with authorities urging anyone who sees the vehicle or the family to call 911 immediately.
This situation highlights the painful complexities of high-conflict custody battles. Tomich said she grew increasingly concerned about Richman’s erratic behavior in the months leading up to the disappearance. Her warnings during the April deposition now feel prophetic as the search continues without any solid leads on the trio’s whereabouts.
Law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions are involved, monitoring highways and checking for sightings of the black Toyota Camry. The alert emphasizes that the children are believed to be in imminent danger due to their father’s mental state and the sudden abandonment of his life in Utah.
For Tomich, the waiting has been agonizing. She described the boys as her entire world and expressed deep regret that her earlier concerns were not enough to prevent this nightmare. “There’s no world without them,” she reportedly told family members, capturing the desperation felt by loved ones.
As hours turn into days since the boys were last seen, the pressure on investigators intensifies. Digital tracking of Richman’s phone, financial records, and possible border crossings are being pursued. Given his history of living off-grid, authorities are also considering he may have headed to remote areas or even out of state.
The Amber Alert system, designed precisely for situations like this, has mobilized thousands of eyes across the region. Social media has exploded with shares, with many parents expressing heartbreak over the vulnerability of such young children caught in the middle of adult conflict.
Child abduction cases involving parents, often called “family abductions,” can be particularly dangerous because the suspect knows the children well but may be emotionally unstable. In this case, Richman’s severe depression and financial collapse raise additional red flags for possible harm.
Tomich continues to plead for the public’s help. She remains hopeful that someone will spot the distinctive black Camry or recognize her boys. She has stressed that Richman is familiar with survival techniques and could be hiding in plain sight or deep in wilderness areas.
The boys’ young ages make the situation especially urgent. At just 10 months and 22 months old, Will and Wesley are completely dependent on adults. Their blonde hair and bright blue eyes make them memorable, but their small size also means they could easily be concealed.
Community support has poured in, with local residents offering to help distribute flyers and keep watch for the vehicle. Richman’s family, despite the pain, is reportedly fully cooperating with law enforcement in hopes of a safe resolution.
As the search enters another day, authorities remind the public not to approach if they see the vehicle but to call emergency services immediately. Every sighting, no matter how small, could help bring these precious boys home safely.
This Amber Alert serves as a sobering reminder of the hidden struggles within custody disputes. Behind court filings and visitation schedules are real families and tiny children whose lives hang in the balance. Elizabeth Tomich’s proactive warnings months ago now echo loudly as the desperate hunt for Will and Wesley continues.
The entire nation watches and hopes for a positive outcome — that these two innocent toddlers will be found safe and reunited with their mother soon.