Authorities in Alabama have confirmed the tragic discovery of a missing 4-year-old boy who disappeared from his father’s rural home on New Year’s Eve while following the family dog.
During a press conference on Friday, Jan. 2, Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith announced that the body of Johnathan Everett Boley had been found about two miles from his father’s residence near Jasper.
“I’m here to announce that we have located Johnathan, and Johnathan is deceased,” Smith told reporters.
Last Seen With His Dog on New Year’s Eve
Johnathan was last seen around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, near the 7000 block of Highway 195. According to an alert issued by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the child had been outside with the family’s black Labrador retriever, Buck, and his 6-year-old brother.
At the time, the children were visiting their father, Jameson Kyle Boley, as part of their allotted five days of annual visitation, Sheriff Smith previously said, according to NBC News.
Believed to Have Wandered While Following the Dog
Investigators believe Johnathan wandered away from the home while following Buck.
“John-John and Buck being together — if he’s following Buck, then there’s no telling how far they could have traveled,” Smith explained. He noted that similar cases across Alabama and the U.S. have involved children traveling several miles, especially when accompanied by a dog.
Sheriff Smith also described the boys as adventurous. “They’re just outdoor kids — boys being boys,” he said.
Dog Found Alive Near the Child
Johnathan’s body was discovered approximately two miles from the home. Buck, the family dog, was found alive near the child’s body. Authorities have not released further information regarding the condition or location of Johnathan’s older brother.
The Walker County Sheriff’s Office said the cause of death has not yet been determined and remains under investigation.
Separate Charges Filed Against the Father
As the search for Johnathan was ongoing, Jameson Kyle Boley was taken into custody on unrelated charges. Sheriff Smith emphasized that the arrest had “nothing to do” with the child’s disappearance.
According to court documents filed Friday in Walker County, Jameson was charged with unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device and two counts of chemical endangerment of a child. Authorities said no live explosives were found outside the property, but investigators did find evidence suggesting explosive-type materials had previously detonated on the property, Smith told WBRC.
Jameson previously served in the U.S. Army from March 2003 until November 2006, according to WVTM-13. The reason for his discharge was not made public. Officials stated that he has been cooperative with investigators.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Johnathan’s death. No determination has been made regarding how or when the child died, and officials say additional details will be released once the medical examiner completes their work.
The case has deeply affected the local community as investigators work to piece together the final moments of a child whose disappearance prompted a large-scale search effort.
