LOST AND FOUND
Missing 5-year-old Steven Bryan found after 2-year search as cops vow ‘scorched Earth’ for people who had him
The boy's father was relieved to hear his son was found safe
A 5-YEAR-OLD boy who was last seen over two years ago has been found as police take the child's mother into custody.
Steven Bryan was 3 years old when he and his mom, Deborah Bryan, disappeared from their home in Mooresville, Indiana, about 20 miles southwest of Indianapolis, on June 9, 2022.
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The boy's biological father reported him missing in July 2023 after being unable to make contact with his son.
At the time, Mooresville police believed little Steven and his mother fled their home with her boyfriend, Caleb Blevins.
Investigators eventually learned that Bryan's bank account had been closed, and her and Blevins' cell phone numbers had been deactivated.
Authorities issued a Silver Alert for Steven in August 2022, but the case went cold.
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Mooresville police eventually issued an arrest warrant for Bryan, charging her with interference with custody.
Police Chief Kerry Buckner announced on Tuesday that all three individuals were found safe in Blevins' home in Bloomington, about 35 miles south of Mooresville.
Officials said they received a tip Tuesday afternoon about three individuals who resembled Steven, Bryan, and Blevins.
Buckner said he's glad the case can be scrapped from his department's system.
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"It's awesome. You just never know how these are going to turn out," the police chief told Fox affiliate WXIN.
"It is really nice to have an ending to this that doesn't involve someone being dead or injured."
Steven was found in good health and placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.
The boy's father told the outlet he was relieved his son was found safe.
Bryan was arrested on her outstanding warrant.
It's unclear what charges Blevins will be facing.
Chief Buckner said his detectives would go to "scorched earth" to find anyone who might have helped Bryan and Blevins.
"I will tell you this, this has been a big load on law enforcement. These people used a lot of resources and a lot of time," he told the outlet.
"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 in assisting them, we plan on filing charges on them."