WEST VALLEY CITY (ABC 4 News) - It’s been more than two years since Charlie and Braden spent their days at the Daydreams and Fun Things Day Care Center in West Valley, but they’ve never been far from Debbie Caldwell’s heart.
"Charlie’s favorite thing was the blocks, he liked to play with the blocks,” said Caldwell. “Braden's favorite thing was the cars."
Caldwell and her husband watched the boys since they were one and three years old. Even before their mother went missing, she was concerned about their well-being recalling one day when Josh just up and left the boys alone at home when they were still toddlers.
“He chose to just get in his van and drive off and he left Charlie and Braden home alone and they were just one and three,” said Caldwell.
After Susan went missing and josh took off with the boys to Washington, a concerned Caldwell contacted authorities. Caldwell said, "The first thing I did was call Washington to the CPS up there and at that time they told me without physical abuse they couldn't open a case.”
A case would eventually be opened and the boys moved to Susan’s parents. It wasn't until then that Caldwell was able to visit them. After only a short time in the Cox’s care, Caldwell saw a difference in the boys. Caldwell said, "They had just turned into those little boys that I remembered they were smiling and they were happy."
Her last time with the boys would be the first time she heard them talk about their mother and what may have happened to her.
"Braden said, ‘you know my mom is missing and she might be dead’ and I said, 'I know Braden, but I’m still looking and I’m going to keep looking for her.’"
