Family Urgently Calls for Safe Return of Toddlers Allegedly Taken by Father

In Saratoga Springs, Utah, a troubling situation has unfolded involving the alleged abduction of two young children by their father, Dane Richman. The Utah Department of Public Safety issued an AMBER Alert on Sunday morning, sparking widespread concern for the safety of the two boys, aged 22 months and 10 months. Law enforcement officials have expressed a grave belief that the children could be in imminent danger.

The urgency of this case was highlighted in a conversation with the boys’ aunt, Katie Walters, who provided insights into the events leading up to the alert. According to Walters, alarm bells were first raised when her sister, Dane’s wife, attended a deposition only to discover that Dane had unexpectedly dismissed his attorney, claiming he no longer required legal representation.

Recognizing the potential seriousness of the situation, Walters and her family contacted the police to request a welfare check at Dane’s residence. They were particularly concerned as Dane had been unresponsive to phone calls. Days before, Dane had informed his wife via text message of his plans to take the children camping. However, Walters revealed that when law enforcement reached Dane’s home, the reality appeared to contradict his earlier claims, heightening concerns for the children’s well-being.

Walters said they called the police to conduct a welfare check at Dane’s home because he wasn’t answering his phone. Days prior, Dane texted his wife that he would be away, camping with the children. Yet, according to Walters, police arrived at his home to find a different story.

“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, and the police were able to stop the moving truck, and they asked what’s going on,” Walters recalled. “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.”

Wesley Dane Richman (left), Will Thomas Richman (middle), Dane Stephen Richman (right)

She added that the way he gave away all his things to his neighbors seemed off, especially since he had purchased a new dresser for the baby’s room just weeks before. Walters explained that it was unlikely that this was a pre-calculated move across the city.

“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. You put two and two together,” she said. “We have enough intel from the FBI and police to reasonably suspect that he has left the state of Utah.”

The family had a custody agreement where the children would alternate weeks. Reportedly, the last time Dane was seen was when he picked them up from his wife’s home in Shelton, Washington, on May 16.

Dane, 46, is reportedly 6’2 and 195 lbs. He has brown hair, green eyes, and braces, according to Walters. 22-month-old Will Thomas Richman weighs 31 lbs and has blue eyes, while his brother, 10-month-old Wesley Dane Richman, weighs 23 lbs with blue eyes.

“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 described. “Will and Wes are just adorable. I miss them so much.”

If you see Dane or the boys, you are asked to call 801-798-5600 or simply dial 911. Walters said there is no detail too small to report, as it just takes one person seeing them to bring the children home.

“To Dane, just please be safe. We love you, and we love those kids. 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,” Walters said.

She continued, “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 temper tantrum. You know, he loves those boys, and I’ve got to hold on to hope. There’s no world without them.”

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Family Urgently Calls for Safe Return of Toddlers Allegedly Taken by Father

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