UPDATE: A 4-year-old boy missing since December 31, 2023, has been found dead in Alabama, leading to the arrest of his father on explosive and endangerment charges. The Walker County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the tragic news earlier today, shocking the local community.
Johnathan Everett Boley was last seen around noon on New Year’s Eve in Jasper, Alabama, when he was visiting his father, Jameson Boley. Reports indicate he was last seen walking away with his dog, Buck, alongside his 6-year-old brother. Sheriff Nick Smith announced at a press conference today that Johnathan’s body was recovered approximately two miles from his father’s residence, with Buck still alive at the scene.
Sheriff Smith stated, “We have located Johnathan, and Johnathan is deceased,” revealing that the circumstances surrounding the child’s death remain unclear. This heartbreaking discovery comes after extensive searches conducted by volunteers and the FBI in the immediate vicinity where Johnathan was last seen.
Authorities had initially paused the search due to potential explosives found on Jameson’s property and in nearby woods. Sheriff Smith later confirmed that the devices in the area were non-explosive. Jameson Boley was arrested on Thursday after authorities discovered explosive materials during a search of his home, leading to charges of possession of explosives and two counts of chemical endangerment of a child, according to CBS 42.
Shockingly, Johnathan was living with his mother, who had relocated to Florida, but was visiting his father as part of a custody agreement. The community is left reeling from the news, with Sheriff Smith expressing the collective grief: “Like so many of you across our community, we’re aware and devastated by this news. This is going to be a very hard time for our community.”
As investigations continue, no further details have been released regarding the circumstances of Johnathan’s death or the specific charges against his father. The Walker County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information to come forward as they seek answers in this tragic case.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
