Anguished mom of two missing boys appeals for their safe return after they vanished with troubled dad: 'They could be anywhere'

By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 05:57, 26 May 2026 | Updated: 06:27, 26 May 2026 The mother of two missing boys from Utah has issued a desperate plea for their safe return after their father failed to return them during a custody exchange.  Lizzie Tomich anxiously called for the return of her sons, one-year-old Will and infant Wesley Richman, who were not returned to her on Saturday after their father quit his job and sold his possessions before vanishing with the two boys.  In a social media post, the mom detailed the circumstances that led up to her children's devastating disappearance after an Amber Alert was issued by police over the weekend.  The boys would spend alternate weeks with each parent, but their father, 46-year-old Dane Stephen Richman, failed to show up and the boys haven't been seen since May 16.  'We're coming to TikTok today to ask for some help and to provide a timeline and an update of what's going on and also details surrounding the current custody orders that are in place,' their family attorney Brittany Skinner said in the clip. Tomich says she flew in for a deposition on May 22, only to learn 'minutes' before it began that Richman had fired his attorney and 'would not be attending' the proceedings. 'I immediately contacted him via calling his phone and texting. He did not respond. At that point, we called the police to do a welfare check on him,' the grief-stricken mother said.  'When the police arrived, we learned that the house was vacant and there were things being moved out. There was no car and Dane and the boys were not home. When we learned this, we knew something was wrong.' Tomich continued talking to police, at which point Richman finally responded to her through text messages. The boys' mother asked to call him, but he said he was driving and could call her later on.  Lizzie Tomich jumped on social media on Memorial Day to anxiously call for the return of her sons, one-year-old Will and infant Wesley Richman, who were not returned to her on Saturday The boys would spend alternate weeks with each parent, but their father, 46-year-old Dane Stephen Richman, failed to bring show up and the boys haven't been seen since In text messages, Richman told Tomich he had taken the boys camping and would return them to her on Saturday - but the father never showed up and the boys haven't been seen since 'He did confirm that he was camping, the boys were okay, and that he would be meeting me at our agreed upon time and location to exchange the boys,' she continued. Their attorney, Skinner, explained that according to their current temporary court, each party has a week of parenting time.  Skinner continued to explain that, per the orders, Richman was not allowed to leave the state without the courts permission or the permission of the other parent. 'On Saturday, I showed up to our designated location. I showed up about 15 minutes early prior to the designated time,' Tomich said. 'As the time approached, I began calling and texting him asking for an ETA. He did not respond. At, approximately 12.01 is when I began to panic and when we called police,' she said tearfully.  'After further investigation with the police, we learned that Dane's quit his job,' Skinner jumped in.  'He's sold almost all of his possessions. He has left with almost everything he has, with the clear intention of not returning with these children. So we are coming on here today to TikTok to ask for your help to bring these boys home.' 'Please, like, share, repost everything, share with your family, share with your friends, anybody you know, they could be anywhere. Please,' Tomich said through a wavering voice.  'Just contact authorities and let them know. Keep your eyes out. If you're at the gas station, if you're camping, if you are anywhere, be on the lookout. Will and Wesley are two blue, beautiful, blonde-haired little boys that you will recognize,' Skinner added.  '...With infectious smiles, they both have dimples and blue eyes, and they will be giggly, hopefully, and laughing,' Tomich interjected.  Police believe Richman and his two young sons may be traveling in a black 2025 Toyota Camry bearing Utah license plate A561HL, although investigators warned the vehicle could also be displaying a temporary tag that may make the plate difficult to identify Police have a troubling picture of the father's recent behavior, with concern for the children's safety because he is believed to be 'seriously depressed' and suffering financial problems Will is described as about 2-foot-6 and 31 pounds with blonde or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes, while Wesley is described as approximately 2-foot-2 and 23 pounds with blonde or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes After the boys disappeared, law enforcement issued an Amber Alert and painted a troubling picture of the missing father's recent behavior.  Police said that the boys may face 'imminent danger' considering Richman's mental health, including 'serious' depression and financial troubles.  Will is described as about 2-foot-6 and 31 pounds with blonde or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes, while Wesley is described as approximately 2-foot-2 and 23 pounds with blonde or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes. Their father, Dane, is described as 6-foot-2 and around 195 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. The boys' aunt, Katie Walters, had a message for the boys' father directly: '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,' she said. '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.' Police believe Richman and his two young sons may be traveling in a black 2025 Toyota Camry bearing Utah license plate A561HL, although investigators warned the vehicle could also be displaying a temporary tag that may make the plate difficult to identify. Law enforcement agencies across Utah are now searching for the black Camry while urging drivers, business owners and residents to report any sightings immediately.  '...With infectious smiles, they both have dimples and blue eyes, and they will be giggly, hopefully, and laughing,' Tomich said '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,' aunt Walters described '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,' aunt Walters described. 'Will and Wes are just adorable. I miss them so much.'  It is a sentiment echoed by their mother who posted a heart-wrenching plea online.  'I miss my babies !!! Please help me find them. They are my world!!!! I can't even describe how awful this is. Please please please help me find them!!!!', Tomich wrote.  Richman has now been charged with two counts of custodial interference, Fox 13 reported.  Charging documents obtained by the outlet last place the missing father in San Diego near the border last Tuesday, leading investigators to believe he may have crossed into Mexico.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. 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