FEDERAL agents fear the father wanted in connection with his toddlers’ kidnapping may have crossed the border into Mexico days before his discreet final movements were uncovered.

A large-scale manhunt is underway for dad Dane Richman who investigators allege abducted his two sons, Will and Wesley, after he failed to return them to their mother at the conclusion of his custodial visit.

NINTCHDBPICT001083809611
Little Will Richman is a year-and-a-halfCredit: Facebook
 

NINTCHDBPICT001083809679
Baby Wesley Richman is 10 months oldCredit: Facebook
 

NINTCHDBPICT001083995470
Mom Elizabeth Tomich released a gut-wrenching video pleading for help in locating her boysCredit: TikTok/bringhomewillandw
 

NINTCHDBPICT001083809844
Authorities said dad Dane Richman abducted his two sons and failed to return them to their mother at the conclusion of his custodial visitCredit: Facebook
Richman has not been seen since May 16, the day he drove up to Washington state from Utah to pick up his children at their mom Elizabeth Tomich’s home in Shelton, about an hour southwest of Seattle.

Federal law enforcement have mapped out a potential timeline of Richman’s movements in the days after he picked up his sons.

Authorities said Richman’s cell phone pinged in Carlsbad, California, about 34 miles north of San Diego, on May 18, according to charging documents.

Investigators believe Richman crossed the border into Mexico the following day.

The parents shared custody of the boys on a week-by-week basis, and per their custody agreement, Richman is not allowed to take the children out of Utah state, according to Tomich.

Tomich fears Richman could have taken her children anywhere due to his extensive experience living outdoors.

“He’s very outdoorsy. He’s done that his whole life,” the distraught mom previously told The U.S. Sun.

“He has lived out of his car. He’s lived in a storage unit before. He has lived off the grid. He’s been homeless. He’s lived on a beach, he’s also been to prison for several years. This man can live anywhere.”

Records viewed by The U.S. Sun showed Richman’s extensive criminal history, which includes over three dozen arrests dating back to the 1990s.

Richman’s criminal record also includes dozens of traffic-related arrests and theft charges.

Authorities are desperately attempting to locate the toddlers and Richman, who is described as emotionally unstable and dealing with financial stress, an Amber Alert said.

A neighbor of Richman told The U.S. Sun she had not seen the 46-year-old father since the first week of May.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said Richman has lived in the community in Saratoga Springs for a decade but noticed his demeanor changed after he and Tomich separated last September.

“Ever since his fiancée left, he kind of didn’t talk as much,” the neighbor said in a phone interview.

“I’d probably only had a chance to talk to him once since then and that was a few months ago at a grocery store.”

The woman said other neighbors in the area recalled spotting Richman outside his home carrying one of his sons in April.

However, since then, the neighbor said she could not recall the last time she saw 22-month-old Will or 10-month-old Wesley.

“We definitely knew him. It’s a complete shock. We considered him a friend,” the neighbor said of Richman.

Map showing locations relevant to a Utah Amber Alert for two toddler sons, Will and Wesley, whose father vanished with them.
 

NINTCHDBPICT001083837423
Elizabeth Tomich and toddlers, Wesley and WillCredit: TikTok/bringhomewillandw
 

Screenshot of a text message conversation between "Dane" and another person, with the other person asking "Where are you?" and about the children's whereabouts and Dane responding cryptically.
Tomich said she last heard from Richman at around 1 pm on Friday after he missed his depositionCredit: TikTok/bringhomewillandw
 

NINTCHDBPICT001083989798
Tomich and Richman final text exchange before he stopped respondingCredit: TikTok/bringhomewillandw
An Amber Alert for Will and Wesley was issued on Saturday evening after Saratoga Springs Police executed a search warrant at Richman’s home and found an empty home.

Tomich previously told The U.S. Sun she had flown into Utah on the evening of May 21 to attend a scheduled deposition the following day and to pick up her children that Saturday.

However, on the morning of the deposition, Tomich learned via email that Richman had fired his attorney and then failed to attend the hearing.

The concerned mother called Saratoga Springs Police and requested a welfare check at Richman’s home.

Authorities visited Richman’s home but received no response and did not find any cause for concern.

Tomich said she last heard from Richman at around 1pm on Friday, when he told her he and the boys were camping and he would drop off the children to her on Saturday.

Despite his reassurance, Richman did not appear at the agreed-upon location, prompting Tomich to call police again for a second welfare check.

Investigators learned Richman had been giving away his belongings and had quit his job the week he went to pick up his sons on May 16.

Police said in court documents that Richman allegedly told his former employer that he was “unable to continue working due to current ongoing legal battles” with Tomich for custody.

The employer told authorities that Richman said he needed to move as he was losing his house to foreclosure, according to court records.

Property records viewed by The U.S. Sun showed Richman’s single family home is in foreclosure.

Investigators claim Richman’s financial situation was so dire that he had taken out an additional line of credit on his home equity.

Richman also allegedly gave a friend his motorcycle and a pickup truck as collateral for help with legal expenses, court documents state.

Tomich told The U.S. Sun that she reviewed text message exchanges between a neighbor and Richman, where he said his home was being foreclosed by the bank.

However, Tomich said she was unaware of Richman’s financial situation.

NINTCHDBPICT001083837294
Elizabeth Tomich said Dane Richman has bracesCredit: Handout
 

NINTCHDBPICT001083837293
Tomich and police have described Richman as being emotionally unstable and dealing with financial stressCredit: Handout
Saratoga Springs police believe Richman and the boys are traveling in his Black 2025 Toyota Camry with the Utah license plate number A561HL.

The vehicle could have a temporary tag, according to the Amber Alert.

Tomich said Richman’s car also has a Carvana license plate frame.

Little Will is described as 2 feet 6 inches and weighing about 31 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes.

His baby brother Wesley is described as 2 feet 2 inches tall and approximately 23 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Police said Richman is about 6 feet 2 inches, weighs about 195 pounds, and has brown hair and green eyes.

Tomich said Richman has braces and has a receding hairline.

RECOMMENDED STORIES

She said he could be wearing a baseball cap to cover up balding spots on the top of his head.

Tomich said Richman typically wears baggy blue jeans, has no tattoos, and wears no watches or jewelry.