Search teams across Utah and surrounding states are mobilizing after Bountiful Police issued an Endangered Missing Advisory for 5-year-old James Despain. (Photo by Utah DPS/Bountiful Police Department
An intense search is underway in Utah and surrounding states after Bountiful Police issued an Endangered Missing Advisory for 5 year old James Despain. The child has now been missing for more than 48 hours and investigators believe he was abducted by his non custodial father, 45 year old Benjamin Despain.
James was last seen Tuesday evening when Benjamin picked him up for a scheduled three hour visitation. According to police, that was the last confirmed sighting of the boy. When his mother, Natalie Despain, arrived at Benjamin’s home in Murray, Utah to pick her son up, she discovered the house completely dark. The father’s vehicle and an RV trailer that had been parked in the driveway were also gone.
Soon after, Natalie received an alarming email from Benjamin. In the message, he told her that he was taking James “away to prevent him from having surgery.” He wrote that he would contact her by Friday or Saturday, but as of now, no contact has been made. Calls and messages to Benjamin continue to go unanswered.
Police say the motive remains unclear but Natalie’s email has shifted urgency toward finding out where Benjamin may have taken the child. Authorities believe the father might be acting on personal beliefs or fears surrounding the child’s medical care, raising concerns about his state of mind. Natalie told investigators she is deeply worried, explaining that recent interactions have made her question his emotional stability.
Investigators have followed several leads across state lines. They checked possible locations in Idaho and Montana, where Benjamin has relatives, but found no sign of him or James. Police are now exploring another possibility after learning that Benjamin had once talked about wanting to visit historical sites on the East Coast. Detectives say this may indicate a long distance trip and they are requesting that law enforcement agencies in multiple states stay alert.
While police say they do not yet have evidence that James is in immediate physical danger, they stress that his age, the length of time he has been missing, and concerns about his father’s mental state make the situation urgent. Officials say they are prepared to activate the Davis County Child Abduction Response Team if new information suggests James is at greater risk.
Authorities have released details about the vehicle Benjamin is believed to be driving. They are asking the public to keep an eye out for the following:
Make and model 2006 red Toyota Tacoma
License plate Utah 255PCJ
Additional detail The truck was last seen towing a travel trailer
The trailer could allow Benjamin and James to travel long distances without needing to stop or stay in hotels, which adds another layer of challenge to the search.
Police are urging anyone who spots the truck, the trailer, or anything that may help locate Benjamin or James Despain to immediately contact local authorities or the Bountiful Police Department.
They emphasize that any small detail may help bring James home safely. The search remains active, and investigators say they will continue following every lead until the five year old boy is found.
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