“HE DIDN’T JUST VANISH… POLICE SAY HE PLANNED IT FOR WEEKS” — DISTURBING NEW DETAILS EMERGE AFTER UTAH FATHER FLEES WITH TWO TODDLERS DURING AMBER ALERT ⚠️ A desperate search is intensifying after police say 46-year-old Dane Stephen Richman abducted his two young sons, 10-month-old Wesley and 22-month-old Will, during a scheduled visitation before allegedly fleeing to Mexico. Investigators say the disappearance may have been planned for weeks, with Richman reportedly quitting his job, falling deep into debt, selling off belongings, missing a custody deposition, firing his attorney by email, and leaving his home looking completely “vacant.” But the detail now chilling people most is how quickly everything unfolded on the morning he disappeared — and why police believe the boys may already have been taken across the border.

(NewsNation) — The mother of two toddlers, who are believed to have been abducted by their father is pleading for their safe return.

“Please, just take the boys somewhere safe. Take them to a hospital or fire station and just surrender,” Lizzie Tomich said. “This doesn’t have to define the rest of your life. You are their father. You will always be their father, just please bring the boys back safely.”

Dane Richman is believed to have taken his sons and is now charged with two counts of custodial interference. That charge is a third-degree felony, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The Utah Department of Public Safety issued an Amber Alert for the two boys, Wesley, who is just 10 months old, and two-year-old Will.

“We don’t have any idea where he could be at this point,” Tomich said. “He has not spoken to most of his family in quite some time, so we don’t have any information from family members either.”

Will and Wesley Richman disappeared in dad Dane Richman’s custody

Authorities believe Richman may have taken the boys over the state line and said the boys may face imminent danger of injury or even death.

Tomich and Richman were in the midst of a custody dispute when Richman suddenly vanished.

Tomich said she flew into Utah for a deposition, but Richmond never showed up, and neither did the children. When she tried calling, Richman did not pick up.

Tomich said there were some indications something might happen but declined to share the details.

She told NewsNation the current custody agreement does not allow Richmond to take the children across state lines.

The Amber Alert warned that Richman is in dire financial straits and had abandoned his home after selling off his belongings.

‘I just want to get my kids back’: Mom of missing Utah toddlers

He also fired his attorney, who Tomich says has been cooperating with what she is legally allowed to provide.

“I just want to get my kids back and I pray every day that they’re okay and they’re safe, he’s going ot bring them back, he’s going to surrender them back to me or that we find him,” Tomich said.

Dane Richman is 6’2″ and 195 pounds with brown hair, green eyes and braces. Will, age 2, weighs 31 pounds and has blue eyes, while his brother, Wesley, is 10 months old, weighs 23 pounds and has blue eyes.

Richman is believed to be traveling in a black 2025 Toyota Camry with license plate A56-1HL.

Anyone with information should call 911 or 801-798-5600.