A YOUNG boy missing for more than two years with his mom was found with the help of hostage negotiators – as family members claim she ran away with the child because she feared for their lives.
Steven Bryan was three years old when he and his mom, Deborah Bryan, vanished from their home in Mooresville, Indiana, in June 2022.
Steven Bryan, now five, was found after a two-year search on Tuesday[/caption]
Deborah missed a custody hearing during her time in hiding, leading to a misdemeanor charge of interference with custody[/caption]
They were officially reported missing by Steven’s biological father, Tyler Bryan, in August 2022, amid a custody dispute over the boy.
The pair were finally located on Tuesday just 35 miles away at a home in Bloomington, which Mooresville Police Chief Kerry Buckner told The U.S. Sun investigators believe belongs to one of Deborah Bryan’s relatives.
Steven, now five, was found with Deborah and her boyfriend, Caleb Blevins, who has also been missing since August 2022.
Buckner said he was relieved to locate the boy after such a long and exhaustive search, noting that years-long missing children cases can often remain open-ended for decades or end in tragedy.
“We’re very, very happy about this,” shared Buckner, “because it took a lot of time and a lot of manpower to investigate this.
“Once they’re gone for a certain amount of time, it becomes pretty stressful. You felt a lot of pressure trying to get, especially, a child back.”
Buckner added that Mooresville PD received a great deal of assistance from multiple agencies in their search for Steven, including state police, who staked out the property where the boy was ultimately found for days on end.
“We were constantly getting new intelligence about a possible location and then we had state police perform surveillance on that location for quite a long time,” Buckner said.
“They eventually got information that led them to believe he was possibly inside. They conducted a door knock and received no answer but they could tell someone was inside.
“They surrounded the home and got a search warrant. Then a hostage negotiator was there to bring a peaceful resolution – because you never know how people will react when they get put into a corner.”
Buckner added that investigators are currently looking into whether any of Deborah’s family members assisted in hiding her, the boy, and Balvin for the last 25 months.
The police chief threatened to go “scorched earth” on any bad actors who actively helped shield Deborah from police, as the 31-year-old mom had an outstanding warrant for her arrest for interfering with a custody order.
Steven was healthy and seemed fine when he was found on Tuesday, Buckner said.
The young boy is currently in the custody of Child Protective Services (CPS). He will be subject to a routine medical and later interviewed by police, Buckner added.
But while the local Mooresville PD celebrates a job well done, Deborah’s family called the boy’s recovery anything but a joyous moment.
Deborah’s uncle, Tom Cash, told The U.S. Sun he is now more in fear for the boy’s life than he has been during the last two years he was missing.
“It’s honestly the worst place to see your child in the custody of CPS, but I hope they keep him in CPS before they give him to Tyler,” said Cash.
“I don’t want Steven to be another statistic.
“I told an officer the other day, we can’t get him back if something happens to him.”
SHOCKING ABUSE CLAIMS
Cash alleged that Deborah and Tyler’s relationship – which began when they were young and ended shortly before she vanished with Steven in 2022 – was fraught and marred with domestic violence.
Cash claimed that his niece was terrified of Tyler, who on more than one occasion allegedly threatened to kill her.
Tyler Bryan and members of his family have not yet returned a request for comment from The U.S. Sun.
Chief Beckner said he was unaware of any prior domestic violence claims against Tyler within his jurisdiction.
However, court records unearthed by The U.S. Sun show that Tyler Bryan was charged with domestic battery, threatening to commit a forcible felony, and domestic battery in the presence of a child, in Indianapolis in January 2021.
Deborah was described by her family as a doting, loving mother[/caption]
Deborah’s family claim she fled with the boy because she was fearful of their safety[/caption]
Steven was healthy and seemed fine when he was found on Tuesday, police said[/caption]
The charges against Tyler were later dismissed and a no-contact order which was put into effect by a judge was also rescinded.
According to a police incident report, Tyler Bryan allegedly threatened to shoot Deborah and struck her in front of their son.
When police arrived on the scene, Deborah was hiding in a neighbor’s home, per the documents.
“Ms. Bryan started a video to record her interaction with Tyler on the phone […] Ms. Bryan stated that Tyler threatened her with a firearm and attacked her on the street while she was holding Steven Bryan,” the incident report states.
The attending officer noted that Deborah appeared to have a cut on her eyebrow and redness around her cheeks.
Deborah told police that Tyler followed her and allegedly hit her four to five times in the face with a closed fist while she was holding her son in the middle of the street.
“[Deborah] stated that the cut on her eyebrow was from an earlier incident but Tyler could have re-opened it when he hit her,” reads the report.
As detailed in the report, it’s claimed the argument was spurred when Deborah called Tyler to ask him when he’d be home, which is said to have “angered” him.
“[Officers] attempted to take Tyler into custody but he refused to exit the house. Officers ordered Tyler out of the house using their PA system in their patrol car,” reads the report.
“Tyler exited the house and was taken into custody. Initially, Tyler was not willing to apply [sic] with commands and passively resisted being placed in handcuffs.
“Tyler was informed of his Miranda Rights and agreed to speak with officers. Tyler stated that he would not hit his wife and she did not call 911.”
Deborah’s family provided The U.S. Sun with a video dated January 6, 2021, showing a confrontation between her and Tyler in front of Steven, in which Tyler is heard warning, “B**ch I’m about to shoot you.”
There is no firearm visible in the frame.
The video is referenced in the incident report, which notes that Deborah began filming before Tyler returned home because she was afraid he would “damage her vehicle when he got home.”
“Deborah said she continued to video Tyler and he stormed past her and said, ‘I’m going to shoot you’ and was heading to the bedroom where Deborah said Tyler keeps his handgun but she never saw him with the handgun.
“Deborah was scared so she grabbed Steven and went outside in the cold without coats due to being scared he was really going to shoot her.”
Cash alleges that Deborah was terrified of her ex because Tyler allegedly made repeated threats to harm and kill her.
Other videos shared with The U.S. Sun depict Tyler appearing to threaten to harm Deborah and, in one instance, warned he was going to make her “disappear.”
“She finally decided to get a divorce because if she couldn’t do it for her, she wanted to do it for her son to keep him safe,” claimed Cash.
“Debbie used to sleep next to Steven at night to ensure he was safe. She spent months getting a game plan together to get a divorce and get away from [Tyler].
“It was an abusive relationship on his part, and she was terrified of him because he’d threatened to kill her.”
‘SHE DESERVES BETTER’
Deborah Bryan failed to show up for a custody hearing between the time she was last seen and when she was reported missing along with her son and Blevins.
As a result of her absence from court, Tyler Bryan was granted temporary emergency custody of the boy.
Deborah was charged with misdemeanor interference with custody in December 2022 for failing to surrender the boy to his father.
Court records show Deborah Bryan previously asked the Indiana Court of Appeals to reverse a lower court’s ruling that awarded custody of Steven to Tyler.
That appeal was still pending at the time of her arrest on Tuesday.
Cash said it’s horrible to see his niece behind bars, whom he described as a dedicated and doting mother.
“Things have not been her way, it’s been like an upside-down world these last few years,” said Cash.
“It’s horrible. You’re putting a loving mother who cares for the life of her son in jail but this situation is not as simple as it’s being made out to be – it goes a lot deeper.
“Just last night, we were watching the news where a father was into a custody battle with his wife and got the court to give him visitation, and he killed his son and himself.
“Debbie has so many recordings of Tyler that the court wouldn’t let her enter into evidence during their custody battle – recordings that really concern us for Steven’s safety.”
It’s honestly the worst place to see your child in the custody of CPS, but I hope they keep him in CPS before they give him to Tyler.
Tom Cash
Cash added, “It’s a sad situation because she hasn’t been able to voice her side of the story. The father has been painted as a victim who has been begging for the return of his son but that’s not the truth.
“He doesn’t care, he only cares that he lost control of Debbie.
“We always see with these domestic violence cases that although you should leave the relationship, it can be hard, it’s not easy to do.
“But Deborah did it. She left behind her career of 10 years, and dropped everything, giving up her life because she was worried about her son’s safety and her safety.
“That’s why she did this.”
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
Cash said he has spoken to Deborah since her arrest and described her as “broken” over the situation.
“She’s broken up,” shared Cash. “That’s her baby boy.
“Like I said, she she threw her life away to try to save his life. So you just don’t walk away from a career that she worked so hard for nothing.
“But Steven loves his mother. That’s who his true love is.
“I hope they’re reunited soon but all we can do is sit back and wait.”
Deborah is currently going through the necessary proceedings to make bail, according to Cash.
She is currently being remanded on a $1000 bond for a misdemeanor count of interference with custody.
A Silver Alert was issued for Steven Bryan in August 2022.
Steven was last seen in June 2022 with Blevins, then 30, in a Silver 2020 Toyota Rav4 SUV.
Full Police Press Release on Steven’s Recovery
After Steven Bryan was recovered safe and well after a two-year hunt on Tuesday, the Mooresville Police Department released the following statement.
Bloomington, IN – On July 9th, 2024, the Indiana State Police located missing child, Steven Bryan, who had been missing for two years.
On July 18, 2022, the Mooresville Metropolitan Police Department (MMPD) was contacted by Tyler Bryan who asked for assistance in retrieving his 3-year-old son, Steven Bryan, from a residence in Mooresville Indiana. Tyler Bryan had a court order granting him emergency custody of Steven. Officers were unable to locate the child nor his mother, Deborah Bryan. On the same day, the Mooresville
Metropolitan Police Department was contacted by Abygail Kenworthy who wanted to report her ex-husband, Caleb Blevins, as a missing person. She stated that she and Blevins have a child in common and that he had not had visitation with the child. According to Kenworthy, this was unusual. During our investigation, we learned that Caleb Blevins was in a relationship with Deborah Bryan. Ms. Bryan had withdrawn all the funds from her bank account, shut down her cellular phone, and disappeared. We also learned that Caleb Blevins had not reported to work and had taken his work tools out of his workplace.
The MMPD entered both Steven Bryan and Caleb Blevins into NCIC and IDACS as missing persons. The Indiana State Police activated a Silver Alert on Steven Bryan. Detectives filed an arrest warrant on Deborah Bryan for Interference With Custody.
Detectives with the Mooresville Metropolitan Police Department worked with Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center (IIFC) Analyst Angie Meachum in attempts to find Steven Bryan, Deborah Bryan, and Caleb Blevins. This effort was supported by the United States Marshals Service and the Indiana State Police.
Indiana State Police Detectives Josh Allen and Zach Robbins, working on
intelligence provided by the IIFC surveilled a residence in the 8300 block of North Fox Hollow Rd. in Bloomington Indiana. During their surveillance, they gathered information leading them to believe that all three individuals were inside the residence. An attempt was made to contact the occupants of the residence to no avail. A search warrant was requested and issued for the residence. Indiana State Police Hostage Negotiator William Lux was able to talk Deborah Bryan and Caleb Blevins out of the residence without incident. Steven Bryan was located inside the residence unharmed. Deborah Bryan was taken into custody for her warrant by the Indiana State Police. Steven Bryan was released to the Department of Child Services, and Caleb Blevins was interviewed and released.
Detectives are continuing this investigation to determine if Deborah Bryan was assisted by others to avoid apprehension. If it is determined that others assisted her during this incident, additional charges may be filed.
At the time, officials said they believed that both Blevins and Steven Bryan were in the company of Deborah Bryan, whom Blevins was dating.
Investigators eventually learned that Bryan’s bank account had been closed, and her and Blevins’ cell phone numbers had been deactivated.
The Silver Alert was canceled on Tuesday after the trio were located at a home in Bloomington.
Authorities were led to their door following an anonymous tip.
Chief Beckner said Deborah Bryan immediately retained an attorney after her arrest and refused to cooperate with investigators.
Blevins, meanwhile, who has not yet been charged with any offenses, offered “minimal information” before being released, per the chief.
“My detectives are still working on this,” said Beckner on Wednesday afternoon.
“We’re trying to determine if anyone helped them hide, and we want to go further and try to interview the child to find out what has been happening for the last two years.
“Being that young, I don’t think children that age really know what’s going on, but we want to make sure nothing happened during the time they were missing and that there’s no lasting psychological effects.”
‘THE WRONG WAY TO DO THIS’
Of the accusations made by Deborah’s uncle against Tyler Bryan, Beckner said all he knows is that the boy was missing and has now been found.
“Whatever happened in court, the judge made that decision,” said Beckner.
“We weren’t involved with that, our priority and job was to get that child back safe to whoever he was safe with, and we’ve achieved that.
“There’s a right way and there’s a wrong way to do things, and if Deborah Bryan was concerned about Tyler and her son’s safety, she should’ve gone to court and expressed that concern to a judge.
“The judges always err on the side of the well-being of the child, but until you go to court and show up to say, ‘Hey, here’s my issues’ […] she had an attorney and instead of taking off and disappearing for two years, she should’ve gone to court and made her claim.
“All we’ve wanted to do is make sure Steven was okay.
“We even contacted her lawyer and tried to arrange a Zoom meeting to prove he was okay and they [Deborah and Blevins] refused.”
Tyler Bryan told FOX59 over the phone he is relieved his son was found safely, the network reported.
Buckner also spoke of Tyler’s relief, saying, “The father was obviously very happy he had an emergency order to take custody of Steven, and I can’t imagine my child to be missing for two years.
“It has to be emotionally draining for you.
“So he was very, very happy to get Steven back, as expected.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org.
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