AN urgent search is underway for two missing toddlers who were allegedly kidnapped by their father, who made a series of chilling movements just before vanishing with them.
An Amber Alert was issued on Saturday for 22-month-old Will Richman and 10-month-old Wesley Richman after their father, Dane Richman, failed to show up at a custody exchange.
The police department in Saratoga Springs, Utah, said it was made aware of the incident after the boys’ mother, Lizzie Tomich, called for a welfare check at Richman’s home.
Tomich told authorities that she initially became concerned about her children’s well-being after Richman, 46, failed to attend a custody deposition hearing on Friday and learned he had fired his attorney.
The mother called the police after Richman failed to drop off their children on Saturday.
The parents share custody of little Will and Wesley and had an agreement to alternate weeks, according to ABC affiliate KTVX.
Authorities issued the Amber Alert after discovering that Richman had abandoned his home, sold his belongings, and was facing financial stress.
Katie Walters, the boys’ aunt, told the outlet that days before the three vanished, Richman had texted her sister, Tomich, saying he was taking the children camping.
But when police arrived at Richman’s home, they spotted moving trucks on the property.
“He had completely moved out of his house that the children were supposed to be living in, and the moving truck was just actually pulling out of the driveway,” Walters told KTVX.
“The police were able to stop the moving truck, and they asked what’s going on.
“They said they didn’t even know because they never even saw the owner of the home while they were there. They only were communicating via text.”
Walters said Richman had also quit his job weeks before vanishing with his sons.
The aunt added that Richman was left without a steady income and was seemingly giving away his belongings to his neighbors.
“It was liquidating. On top of that, he had recently quit his job a week or so ago, so he no longer has a source of income,” Walters told the outlet.
“You put two and two together. We have enough intel from the FBI and police to reasonably suspect that he has left the state of Utah.”
Authorities are desperately searching for the toddlers and fear for their well-being as Richman is described as being “seriously depressed.”
Little Will and Wesley have not been seen since Richman picked them up from their mother’s home in Shelton, Washington, about an hour southwest of Seattle, on May 16.
“Will and Wes are just adorable. I miss them so much,” a distraught Walters said of her nephews.
“You’ll be able to see them. Those little boys are so stinking cute.
“They have the brightest blonde hair and the biggest smiles you’ll ever see. Oh my gosh.
“Wes, the baby, is the giggliest little baby.”
Walters said the family is holding onto hope that Richman and the boys will come home safe.
“To Dane, just please be safe. We love you, and we love those kids,” the aunt pleaded.
“We just want you guys to come home safe. Please get somewhere safe: A hospital, a police department, fire department, anything. We just want you guys to be safe.
“He loves those boys so much. That’s the only thing I could think of that led to this, I like to call it maybe an adult tantrum.
“You know, he loves those boys, and I’ve got to hold on to hope. There’s no world without them.”
Police believe Richman and the boys are in the father’s Black 2025 Toyota Camry with the Utah license plate A561HL.
The vehicle could have a temporary tag, according to the Amber Alert.
Little Will is described as 2-foot-6 and weighing about 31 pounds with blonde or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes.
His baby brother Wesley is described as 2 feet 2 inches tall and approximately 23 pounds, with blonde or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes.
Authorities said Richman weighs around 195 pounds and is 6-foot-2 with brown hair and green eyes.