A 5-year-old Indiana boy who vanished two years ago in the midst of a bitter custody battle between his parents was found safe this week.
Steven Bryan was 3 years old when he disappeared from his home in Mooresville, Indiana, in July 2022, according to police, WPTA-TV reported.
On Tuesday, Steven was found with his mother, Deborah Bryan, and her boyfriend, Caleb Blevins, who were "hiding him out because of some sort of custody battle with his real father," Mooresville Police Chief Kerry Buckner alleged, according to WIBC.
Buckner threatened there would be "scorched earth" for anyone who aided or abetted the pair.
"These people used a lot of resources and a lot of time," explained Buckner, WXIN-TV reported. "We gave (them) every opportunity just to come forward, or do a Zoom call, just to show us... We were worried about Caleb Blevins, along with the child, but they refused to cooperate and from here on out, anybody that had a hand on assisting them, we plan on filing charges on them."
At the time, Steven's father reported him missing prompting police to issue a Silver Alert for the missing child. The investigation revealed Bryan closed her bank account and deactivated her cell phone, police said, according to the outlet.
Under surveillance, the trio were located at home in Bloomington, Indiana, about 35 miles from where they vanished.
Bryan was arrested on a charge of interfering with custody, while Steven was handed over to Child Protective Services.
It's unclear if and when the boy will be reunited with his dad.
"She's truly afraid for her child's safety and wellbeing and his life," Bryan's uncle, Tom Cash, told the station. "That's what motivated her to try to save her son."
