Body of Missing 4-Year-old Boy Found 2 Miles from His Home After He Wandered Off While Following His Dog: Police

The body of a 4-year-old Alabama boy who had been reported missing has been found miles from his home, with his dog discovered not far away.

During a press conference on Friday, Jan. 2, Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith confirmed the death of Johnathan Everett Boley. The child vanished from the home of his father, Jameson Kyle Boley, on the morning of New Year’s Eve near a rural stretch of highway in Jasper, Alabama.

“I’m here to announce that we have located Johnathan, and Johnathan is deceased,” Smith said.

Johnathan was last seen on Wednesday, Dec. 31, around 11:30 a.m. local time near the 7000 block of Highway 195 in Jasper. He had been outside with the family’s black Labrador retriever, Buck, and his 6-year-old brother. The children were visiting their father as part of their allotted five days of visitation for the year, according to the sheriff.

Authorities believe Johnathan may have wandered away from the home while following the dog.

“John-John and Buck being together — if he’s following Buck, then there’s no telling how far they could have traveled,” Smith said. He noted that similar cases across the state and country show young children can walk several miles, especially when accompanied by a pet.

Describing the boys, Smith said they were energetic and loved being outdoors. “They’re very adventurous,” he said. “Just boys being boys. They’re outdoor kids.”

Johnathan’s body was discovered roughly two miles from his father’s home. Buck was found alive near the child. Authorities have not provided an update on the condition or whereabouts of Johnathan’s older brother.

On Thursday, Jameson Kyle Boley was taken into custody on an explosives-related charge. Sheriff Smith emphasized that the charge was unrelated to the search for Johnathan.

Court documents filed Friday show that the father has been charged with unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device and two counts of chemical endangerment of a child. Officials said no live explosives were found outside the property, but investigators reported evidence suggesting explosive-type materials had previously detonated on the premises.

Jameson Boley served in the U.S. Army from March 2003 until November 2006, though the reason for his discharge has not been made public. Authorities said he has been cooperating with investigators.

The cause of Johnathan’s death has not yet been determined.