Two young children went missing during a normal supervised visit, which took an unexpected turn and left authorities and the community in quest of answers. Surprisingly, the hunt for them seemed to have ended at last.
Continue reading to learn more.
Two young siblings, Willow and Wyman Bryant, have apparently been kidnapped by their biological parents during a supervised visit in a horrific occurrence that has left the community in shock.
Law enforcement agencies put up great effort to find the missing children, as their parents, Tiffany Bryant and David Walker James, were believed to be evading capture.
However, after two weeks, police declared that Willow and Wyman had been found safe—a noteworthy development. On August 30, the kids were found in the Vermont Knolls section of Los Angeles, close to South Vermont Avenue and West 83rd Street.
The frantic search came to an end when the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) reported that the Amber Alert had been discontinued. Although there are still little specifics regarding the children’s recuperation, the Sheriff’s Department thanked the community.
“Thank you to the public, the media, and deputy personnel for their tireless efforts in the search for Wyman and Willow, read LASD’s statement. It was also confirmed that Tiffany and David, the children’s parents, have been taken into custody, although further details regarding their arrest have not been released.”
The investigation is still ongoing, and the authorities have not yet released more details.
What is known regarding the kidnapping of the Bryant siblings is as follows:
The kidnapping happened during a supervised visit with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in South Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Wyman, 4, and Willow, 2, allegedly snuck out through an emergency exit by their parents Tiffany, 39, and David, 53, during the visit. This is all according to reports. The incident occurred on August 14, 2024, at approximately 3:10 p.m. The 15-month-old infant that the couple left behind is still in foster care.
Since last year, the Bryant children have been living with a foster home after the youngest sibling’s birth test revealed drug use. Concerns about the parents’ capacity to create a stable and safe environment resulted in the removal of all three children from their parents’ care following the positive drug test.
With this most recent kidnapping, the parents have stolen the kids twice illegally; the first time was this past summer, right after their third child was born. Despite their prior deeds, Tiffany and David were allowed supervised visitation rights after being located two months later.
Wyman, a four-year-old white kid with blonde hair and blue eyes, is described as standing three feet five inches tall and weighing 34 pounds, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Amber Alert. When last seen, he had on a blue shirt, pink sneakers, and shorts.
Willow is a Caucasian girl, two years old, with blue eyes and blonde hair. She weighs twenty pounds and is two feet tall. Gray shorts and a blue shirt were her last outfit choices. The parents’ 2008 Buick Enclave, which was painted champagne and had paper license plates, was last seen being driven.
Nina Glass, director of the nonprofit Search & Rescue San Antonio, Inc., has been working with the foster family and has shared insights into the parents’ lifestyle. “They are the type of people that can live off the grid, if that makes sense,” Nina stated.
“Because they are nomadic, they prefer to be in remote locations such as state parks, RV sites, rest areas, and truck stops. Their car serves as their home. Actually, they don’t have an address.”
Nina further emphasized the complexity of the search, noting that the family could be anywhere in the country. “This is not the type of search where you can actually say, ‘We’re going to go to this location, and we’re going to start searching,’” she explained. “This is more of a nationwide search where everybody needs to be on the lookout for these people.”
Tiffany’s social media accounts reveal a little bit about her personality and way of life. Posts on her Facebook profile stand in stark contrast to her behavior.
In one Post from October 2021, she explicitly denounced child abduction and trafficking, drawing attention to the unsettling discrepancy between her words and deeds.
In June 2021, Tiffany shared a post regarding her recovery, which seemed to receive encouragement from a friend, despite the fact that her profile featured numerous dubious photographs, such as marijuana plants.
Pictures from Tiffany’s social media accounts also show a wandering way of life. She seems to have posted pictures that allude to her living in the forest, going on hikes, and moving in a way that would be compatible with official assertions that the family might be hidden in isolated locations.
These comments support the worries raised by those who know the family, implying that Tiffany and David would be hard to find because they are used to living off the grid. Law enforcement organizations have conducted a thorough search for Willow and Wyman since the kidnapping.
On August 19, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released an Amber Alert, asking people to keep an eye out for the kids and their parents. Authorities are asking the public to exercise caution as the family has not been seen since the day of the kidnapping, despite the alarms and ongoing investigations.
The foster family is putting in a lot of effort, as are volunteers from charitable groups like Search & Rescue San Antonio, to raise awareness of the issue. Social media users are encouraged to share daily briefings in an effort to keep the public informed and involved in the hunt.
“For anyone out in the world who might come across them, we want to make sure they know what they look like,” said Nina, highlighting the need for continued public vigilance.
The case has sparked an intense public response, particularly on social media. Jennifer Coffindaffer, a retired FBI agent, expressed disbelief on X, stating, “Oh my goodness. This is unbelievable…”
Similarly, Carol Erskine, a retired judge, commented, “People think these supervised visits are safe, and most are. But I heard evidence in many cases where social workers left the room, were on the phone, or otherwise distracted. Hope they find them.”
Many other users have expressed concerns about oversight and supervision during the visit. One commenter noted, “People want the paycheck, and not actually do their jobs. There is not enough oversight in government jobs.”
Another user questioned, “This happens often; parents attempt to leave with their children. It’s dangerous for the children and the workers. What happened to the supervision the state was obligated to supply for the children?”
Meanwhile, another voice from X stated plainly, “This is sickening. They have one job. Protect the children.” The decision of the parents to leave behind their youngest child has also drawn significant criticism.
One user on X wrote, “They abandon one of their kids while they kidnap their other two. That makes sense. What stupid, horrible parents. There is a good reason they don’t have custody of their kids,” highlighting the bewildering and concerning actions of Tiffany and David.
The news of Willow and Wyman’s absence has had a significant impact on the neighborhood, and people are hoping and praying for their safe return.
On August 22, we posted a message on our Facebook page in regards to the missing siblings, and a lot of people responded with support.
By August 30, over 30,000 users had shared the message, and it had received over 16,000 reactions. Numerous readers have voiced their worry, requesting updates and offering prayers for the children’s safe return.
One of our readers said, “Praying you find them quickly. Will share!!” Another added, “Praying they find these precious children safe and bring them home.” Additionally, one concerned reader asked, “Any update, please [sic]?”
Authorities have expressed deep concern for Willow and Wyman’s safety. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated, “There is concern for their well-being,” urging anyone with information to come forward.
Authorities emphasize the value of community involvement in the ongoing hunt for the Bryant siblings. It is recommended that anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the parents or children give the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department a call at 213-229-1700.
By calling (800) 222-TIPS (8477), Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous tips. Your help could be extremely important in making sure these kids return home safely.