The Story of Willow & Wyman Bryant's Kidnapping

A routine supervised visit took an unexpected turn when two young children vanished, leaving officials and the community searching for answers. In a surprising twist, the search for them has finally come to an end. Read on to find out more.

In a shocking incident that has left the community reeling, two young siblings, Willow and Wyman Bryant, were reportedly abducted by their biological parents during a supervised visit.

The parents, Tiffany Bryant and David Walker James were said to be on the run, and law enforcement agencies worked tirelessly to locate the missing children.

But in a significant development, authorities announced that Willow and Wyman have been found safe after two weeks. The children were located near South Vermont Avenue and West 83rd Street in the Vermont Knolls neighborhood of Los Angeles on August 30.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) confirmed that the Amber Alert was deactivated, bringing an end to the frantic search. While details on the recovery of the children remain scarce, the Sheriff's Department expressed gratitude to 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 remains ongoing, and authorities have yet to disclose additional information.

Here's everything we know about the Bryant siblings' kidnapping:

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the abduction occurred during a supervised visit with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in South Los Angeles.

The children's parents, Tiffany, 39, and David, 53, seized the opportunity during the visit, allegedly sneaking Wyman, 4, and Willow, 2, out through an emergency exit at approximately 3:10 p.m. on August 14, 2024. The couple left behind their youngest child, a 15-month-old baby, who remains in foster care.

The Bryant children had been living with a foster family since last year after the youngest sibling tested positive for drugs at birth. The positive drug test led to the removal of all three children from their parents' care due to concerns about the parents' ability to provide a safe and stable environment.

This latest abduction marks the second time the parents have taken the children unlawfully; the first incident occurred last summer following the birth of their third child. After being found two months later, Tiffany and David were granted supervised visitation rights, despite their previous actions.

According to the Amber Alert issued by the California Highway Patrol, Wyman is described as a four-year-old white male with blonde hair, blue eyes, standing 3 feet 5 inches tall, and weighing 34 pounds. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt, pink shorts, and pink shoes.

Willow, a two-year-old white female, has blonde hair and blue eyes, stands 2 feet tall, and weighs 20 pounds. She was last seen in a blue shirt and gray shorts. The parents were last seen driving a champagne-colored 2008 Buick Enclave with paper license plates.

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.

"They like to be out there in the middle of nowhere—state parks, RV parks, rest areas, you might see them at truck stops because they're nomadic. They live out of their car. They don't really 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 provides a glimpse into her lifestyle and personality. Her Facebook profile includes posts that contrast sharply with her actions.

One post, shared in October 2021, specifically condemned child trafficking and abduction, highlighting the troubling contradiction between her words and actions.

In another instance, Tiffany posted about sobriety in June 2021, which apparently drew support from a friend, despite her profile being filled with questionable images, including marijuana plants.

Photos on Tiffany's social media also depict a nomadic lifestyle. She appears to have shared images hinting at her hiking, living in the forest, and traveling in a manner consistent with reports from authorities that the family could be hiding in remote areas.

These posts align with the concerns expressed by those familiar with the family, suggesting that Tiffany and David are accustomed to living off the grid and may be difficult to locate. Since the abduction, law enforcement agencies have launched a widespread search for Willow and Wyman.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department issued an Amber Alert on August 19, warning the public to be on the lookout for the children and their parents. Despite the alerts and ongoing investigations, the family has not been seen since the day of the abduction, and authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant.

The foster family and volunteers from nonprofit organizations like Search & Rescue San Antonio are working tirelessly to spread awareness of the case. Daily bulletins are shared on social media, aiming to keep the public informed and engaged in the search.

"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."

Concerns about oversight and supervision during the visit have been echoed by many other users. 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 disappearance has deeply affected the community, sparking an outpouring of support and prayers for the children's safe return.

On August 22, a post about the missing siblings was shared on our Facebook page, receiving an overwhelming response from netizens.

As of August 30, the post has garnered more than 16,000 reactions, and over 30,000 users have shared it so far. Many readers have expressed their concern, asking for updates and praying for the safe return of the children.

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.

The search for the Bryant siblings continues, and authorities stress the importance of community involvement in locating them. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the children or their parents is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department at 213-229-1700.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477). Your assistance could play a vital role in ensuring the safe return of these children.

Here's another story about a four-year-old boy named Carson Morhulec, who was left behind at the Scottish Deer Centre following a nursery trip organized by Dunmore Nursery in Lochgelly, Scotland. Click here to find out more!