Boy, 5, Was Last Seen 2 Years Ago with Mother's Boyfriend. Police Just Found Him Hidden in a Home

Samira Asma-Sadeque

July 10, 2024 at 11:58 a.m.·2 min read

Steven Bryan was found safe with his mother Deborah Bryan and her boyfriend Caleb Blevins, per police

<p>National Center for Missing & Exploited Children</p> Steven Bryan — National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Steven Bryan

An Indiana boy who disappeared two years ago when he was 3 years old has been located by authorities, who arrested his mother.

Steven Bryan, now 5, went missing on June 9, 2022, and was suspected to be with his mother, Deborah Bryan, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. He has been found safe, per authorities.

Steven was last seen with Deborah's boyfriend Caleb Blevins in July 2022, FOX 59 previously reported, citing Indiana State Police. (Steven's date of disappearance is reported differently in some news outlets, but the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has Steven listed as missing since June 2022).

Deborah, 31, allegedly took Steven from her Mooresville, Ind., home and cut off contact with the child’s father, Tyler Bryan, PEOPLE previously reported.

More than two years later, on Tuesday, July 9, authorities located Steven alongside Deborah and Blevins at a residence in Bloomington, Ind., the Mooresville Police Department said in a statement, according to WRTV, 21 Alive News and FOX 59.

Mooresville Police Chief Kerry Buckner alleged Deborah "was just hiding [Steven] out" amid an alleged custody battle with the child's father, WIBC reported.

<p>Mooresville Police Department</p> Deborah Bryan (left), and Caleb Blevins — Mooresville Police Department
Deborah Bryan (left), and Caleb Blevins

Deborah was arrested on a charge of interfering with custody, the Mooresville PD said, per WRTV, 21 Alive News and FOX 59.

Blevins has not been charged, but police said it's possible he could be charged if he allegedly assisted Deborah, per FOX 59 and WANE 15.

<p>Mooresville Police Department</p> Steven Bryan — Mooresville Police Department
Steven Bryan

Tyler, who was in the middle of a divorce with Deborah at the time of Steven’s disappearance, told PEOPLE in January that Steven has a speech impediment.

“He couldn’t really speak; I don’t know if that’s gotten better,” Tyler said at the time.

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Steven was taken into protective custody following his recovery, according to 21 Alive News, WTHR and WRTV.

It wasn't immediately clear if Deborah has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on her behalf.

An investigation is ongoing.

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.

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