James Bryant, 44, was found in a boat off of Pompano Beach with his three missing children. He is accused custodial interference after not returning the children to their mother in Montana. (Source: Center For Missing and Exploited Children)
POMPANO BEACH (CBSMiami) – Three children who have been missing since August were rescued by the United States Coast Guard Tuesday afternoon in a boat off the coast of Pompano Beach.
Their father James Bryant, 44, who is implicated in their disappearance, was also on-board. He was apprehended and handed over to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Bryant is expected to be extradited to Bozeman, Montana, where he and the children disappeared from.
According to Coast Guard officials, the vessel was carrying Megan Bryant, 14; Maxwell Bryant, 13; and Sebastian Bryant, 11, when it was spotted by a Customs and Border Protection aircrew. The 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Okracoke, along with a boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale, intercepted the boat.
Bryant had been in the wind since August when he failed to return the children to their mother in Montana. A felony warrant was issued for his arrest on three charges of parental interference.
A dog, cat, snake and lizard were also found onboard the boat. The animals are being cared for by the Humane Society.
“This case highlights the successful partnership between the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and local law enforcement, especially Broward County Sheriff’s Office,” said Capt. Chris Scraba, commander, Coast Guard Sector Miami. “Through our joint efforts, a suspected kidnapper has been apprehended without incident, and a mother will have her three children safely returned to her unharmed.”
