What began as a routine supervised visit quickly spiraled into a community-wide crisis when two young children, Willow and Wyman Bryant, vanished without a trace. The unsettling disappearance occurred during a supervised visit on August 14, 2024, when their biological parents, Tiffany Bryant and David Walker James, allegedly abducted the children, leaving both authorities and the public on high alert.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that the abduction took place during a scheduled visit with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in South Los Angeles. Tiffany, 39, and David, 53, seized the opportunity to sneak Wyman, 4, and Willow, 2, out through an emergency exit at approximately 3:10 p.m., leaving their youngest child, a 15-month-old baby, behind in foster care.
The Bryant children had been living with a foster family since last year, following concerns about the parents’ ability to provide a safe and stable environment. These concerns arose after their youngest sibling tested positive for drugs at birth. Disturbingly, this recent abduction is not the first; Tiffany and David had previously taken the children unlawfully after the birth of their third child last summer. Although the parents were found two months later, they were still granted supervised visitation rights, a decision now under intense scrutiny.
An Amber Alert issued by the California Highway Patrol described Wyman as a four-year-old white male with blonde hair and 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 wearing 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 closely with the foster family and provided insights into the parents’ lifestyle. “They are the type of people who can live off the grid, if that makes sense,” she said, suggesting that Tiffany and David might be hiding in remote areas such as state parks, RV parks, or truck stops. The couple is known for their nomadic lifestyle, often moving without a permanent address, making the search for them even more challenging.
Nina emphasized the complexity of the search, describing it as a nationwide effort requiring vigilance from everyone. Tiffany’s social media posts provide a glimpse into her life, painting a picture starkly at odds with her recent actions. In one post from October 2021, Tiffany condemned child trafficking and abduction, a disturbing contradiction given the current situation. Other posts showcase her nomadic lifestyle, featuring activities like hiking and living in remote locations, further supporting concerns that the family could be hiding in secluded areas.
Since the abduction, law enforcement has launched a widespread search for Willow and Wyman. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued an Amber Alert on August 19, urging the public to stay vigilant. Despite these efforts, there have been no sightings of the family since the day of the abduction, leaving authorities to rely heavily on public awareness and involvement.
The foster family, along with volunteers from organizations like Search & Rescue San Antonio, is working tirelessly to keep the case in the public eye. Daily bulletins are shared on social media to keep people 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,” Nina emphasized, highlighting the need for ongoing public vigilance.
The case has sparked widespread concern on social media, with many expressing disbelief and alarm. Jennifer Coffindaffer, a retired FBI agent, voiced her shock on X, while Carol Erskine, a retired judge, pointed out the safety concerns surrounding supervised visits. These sentiments have been echoed by others, questioning the oversight during such visits and the decision to leave their youngest child behind has been met with harsh criticism online. Social media users have condemned the parents’ actions as irresponsible, underscoring why the children were removed from their custody in the first place.
The disappearance of Willow and Wyman has profoundly impacted the community, leading to an outpouring of support and prayers for their safe return. A post about the missing siblings shared on Facebook on August 22 received an overwhelming response, with many asking for updates and offering their prayers.
Authorities remain deeply concerned for the children’s well-being and are urging anyone with information to come forward. The search for Willow and Wyman Bryant continues, and officials 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. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers. Public assistance could be crucial in ensuring the safe return of Willow and Wyman.
