Defendants: Linda and Edward Bryant

Allegation: The Bryants are accused of accepting more than $170,000 in public benefits from El Paso County by falsely claiming that they were caring for two adopted special needs children who are missing.

Background: Investigators have been unable to locate the two boys, Austin Eugene Bryant and his biological brother Edward Dylan Bryant, who have been missing since the family lived in Monument in the early 2000s, police said. The boys would now be in their mid- to late teens.

What the affidavit said: Police said a witness told investigators that Austin Bryant had been abused by his adoptive parents with a Taser. The Bryants, who were living in separate Texas towns at the time of their arrest, are being held each on a $1 million bond.

What’s new: Linda Bryant, 54, waived her right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday on more than 100 counts of welfare fraud.

What’s next: Fourth Judicial District Judge Timothy Schutz set a trial date of Oct. 3 for Linda Bryant. Edward Bryant, 58, has a separate hearing scheduled for April 21.

For more court coverage: visit “The Sidebar” blog at gazettedev.gazette.com

Linda Bryant and Edward Bryant Photo by