Saratoga Springs Father Accused of Kidnapping Boys in Amber Alert Case, Fled to Mexico, Police Say

Saratoga Springs police say a 46-year-old man suspected of abducting his two young sons may have fled to Mexico after an Amber Alert was issued over the weekend. Authorities identified the suspect as Dane Stephen Richman of Saratoga Springs and said he faces two counts of custodial interference, a third-degree felony.

The missing children are Wesley Dane Richman, 10 months old, and Will Thomas Richman, 22 months old. Police said the boys were taken by their father during a scheduled visitation arrangement. Investigators now believe the children may be in danger and that the case could have involved planning for days or even weeks before the disappearance.

According to charging documents, the boys’ mother contacted Saratoga Springs police on Friday morning after Richman failed to appear for a custody-related deposition scheduled for 10 a.m. That same morning, Richman emailed his attorney to say he no longer needed her services and would not attend the hearing. Officers visited his home, but no one was there. Court records say the house appeared vacant from the outside.

The mother had been scheduled to pick up the children from Richman’s home at noon on Saturday. When he did not appear, she called police again around 12:35 p.m. Officers began checking with neighbors and other contacts to determine when Richman and the children were last seen. Police said no friends, family members, or other contacts had been able to reach him, and their own attempts to contact him were unsuccessful.

Investigators later learned that Richman’s black 2025 Toyota Camry had been serviced in Carlsbad, California, on Monday, May 18, roughly 50 miles north of the Mexican border. Surveillance images also placed Richman in Southern California. Cellphone location data reportedly showed his phone near the Mexican border on Tuesday, May 19, and the vehicle crossed into Mexico later that day.

Police said the Amber Alert was activated late Saturday on Utah highway digital signs and sent to cellphones in Utah on Sunday morning. By Sunday night, a warrant had been issued for Richman’s arrest, and authorities said they were working to share the alert information throughout Mexico.

Court documents describe Richman as being under severe financial strain, including falling behind on his mortgage and appearing to have taken out an additional home equity line of credit. Investigators said he unexpectedly quit his job at Fibertel LLC on May 11, telling his boss that legal disputes over child custody were making it impossible to continue working. His employer reportedly said Richman had become increasingly unreliable and erratic over the past six months.

Police also noted reports that Richman had access to a satellite phone and may be capable of living off the grid. The alert describes him as 6 feet 2 inches tall, about 195 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. Clothing details were not available.

Wesley is described as about 2 feet 2 inches tall, weighing roughly 23 pounds, with blonde or strawberry-blond hair and blue eyes. Will is described as about 2 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 31 pounds, with similar hair and eye color.

Anyone with information is urged to call 801-798-5600 or dial 911 immediately.