(MOORESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT)
An Indiana boy, Steven Bryan, who disappeared two years ago at the age of 3, has been located by authorities, leading to the arrest of his mother, Deborah Bryan. Steven, now 5, went missing on June 9, 2022, and was suspected to be with his mother, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Authorities have confirmed that Steven has been found safe. Last seen with Deborah’s boyfriend, Caleb Blevins, in July 2022, Steven’s disappearance date has been inconsistently reported across different outlets. However, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children lists June 2022 as the time of his disappearance.
Deborah, 31, allegedly took Steven from her Mooresville, Indiana home and ceased all contact with the child’s father, Tyler Bryan, as reported by PEOPLE.
On Tuesday, July 9, more than two years after Steven went missing, authorities located him with Deborah and Blevins at a residence in Bloomington, Indiana, according to a statement by the Mooresville Police Department.
Mooresville Police Chief Kerry Buckner suggested that Deborah “was just hiding [Steven] out” during an alleged custody battle with the child’s father, WIBC reported. Deborah was arrested on a charge of interfering with custody, according to the Mooresville PD, as reported by WRTV, 21 Alive News, and FOX 59.
Blevins has not been charged yet, but police indicated that he could face charges if found to have assisted Deborah, as per FOX 59 and WANE 15. At the time of Steven’s disappearance, Tyler Bryan was in the midst of a divorce from Deborah. “He couldn’t really speak; I don’t know if that’s gotten better,” Tyler said at the time.
Following his recovery, Steven was taken into protective custody, according to reports from 21 Alive News, WTHR, and WRTV. As of now, it remains unclear if Deborah has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on her behalf. The investigation into the case is ongoing.
This recovery brings relief to those who have been following Steven’s story and highlights the diligent efforts of law enforcement in reuniting him with his father after a prolonged and distressing separation.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
