Missing Alabama boy, 4, found dead after search; Dog found alive
Johnathan Everett Boley (Credit: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency)
JASPER, Ala. - The body of a missing 4-year-old Alabama boy was found deceased on January 2.
The Walker County Sheriff's Office said Johnathan Everett Boley, also known as "John John," was found about two miles away from his father's home along with his dog Buck, who is alive.
The backstory:
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Johnathan was reported missing on Wednesday.
He was last seen at approximately 11:30 am local time in the 7000 block of Highway 195 in Jasper. Johnathan was last seen wearing a yellow Mickey Mouse shirt, black pants and PAW Patrol shoes.
"The indications were that (Johnathan) and his brother were outside playing around the fence line, with a dog," Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said previously told reporters. "The brother said that the dog and his brother went across the fence line."
What they're saying:
"Like so many of you across our community… we’re devastated. We’re just devastated by this news," said Smith at the press conference Friday afternoon. "Johnathan was an adventurous boy and he loved the outdoors."
Dig deeper:
According to WBRC, Johnathan's father, Jameson Kyle Boley, has been charged with unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device and two counts of chemical endangerment of a child.
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said the charges are unrelated to his son’s disappearance.
"The father has been charged. It has nothing to in connection with the missing child, it’s something totally separate, but is still a factor that is hindering our search," Smith said Wednesday, Dec. 31. "We have a search warrant for the property that they are having to take care of some explosive devices before we can get inside the residence and do a thorough search. There has been evidence of explosive devices on the property."
According to WBRC, authorities say John John’s parents are separated, and that he and his mother moved to Florida about a year ago. He was visiting for the holidays.
The Source: Information in this story was provided by the Walker County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, with additional details from statements made by Sheriff Nick Smith during press briefings. Background information regarding the child’s family and charges filed against his father was reported by WBRC, which authorities have said are unrelated to the child’s disappearance. This story was reported from Los Angeles.