The Rangely Police Department released information after public outcry concerning a local child abuse report began circulating on Tik Tok. The video was taken by a person who was concerned at the sight of two boys on their bikes far from town without shirts on and had stopped to assist them. The boys in the video clip were crying and appeared very afraid as they said they were abused by their stepdad who gags and hogties them and that they needed help. The video gained momentum and the Rangely PD issued the following press release: “Recently the Rangely Police Department was made aware of a video circulating on Tik Tok concerning two adolescent boys. Since the release of the video, we have also received numerous calls from concerned citizens and the media. On August 12th, 2024, the Rangely Communications Center received a 911 report about 2 boys riding bikes southbound on Colorado Highway 139 at the mile marker 68, in unincorporated Rio Blanco County, towards Grand Junction…At approximately 4:05pm the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office requested an Officer from the Rangely Police Department to respond and assist with the incident. A Rangely Police Department Officer responded to the scene. Upon arrival, he determined the two boys, ages 8 and 9, belonged to a family that lives in Rangely. The boys alleged during conversations with the Deputy, they were leaving because their stepfather is mean and abuses them. The boys were dressed in shorts, carrying t-shirts, but shirtless and wearing sneakers without socks. At that time there were no physical indications of physical abuse present on the boys. Due to the lack of physical evidence the boys were transported to their residence in Rangely and released to their mother. A referral was made to the Rio Blanco County Department of Human Services and a criminal investigation was initiated. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details are available at this time.” The response online to the press release appeared to only further fuel the public outcry. Unofficial reports claim that the boys have since been brought into protective custody.
