Preliminary Cause of Death Revealed for 4-Year-Old Found Dead 2 Miles from Home After Dog Led Searchers to His Body

After the body of a missing 4-year-old boy was discovered in a creek about two miles from his home in Alabama, officials shared what they believe caused his death.

Walker County Coroner Joey Vick said preliminary autopsy findings indicate Johnathan Boley’s death is consistent with hypothermia, according to Fox affiliate WBRC, ABC affiliate WBMA and NBC affiliate WVTM.

WVTM reported that the child had removed his shoes, and investigators do not suspect drowning. A final autopsy report is still pending.

The urgent search began on New Year’s Eve, when Johnathan was reported missing after he was last seen near a highway in Jasper, Alabama. He had been with his dog and his 6-year-old brother shortly before he disappeared.

A multi-day search followed, involving multiple agencies and volunteers. By Friday, Jan. 2, Johnathan was found dead, partially in a creek, after his dog led a volunteer search team to his body, Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith previously said during a Monday, Jan. 5 press conference shared by WVTM.

“One of the volunteers I spoke to said they saw the dog first, and the dog kind of led them back to where John-John was,” Smith said at the briefing.

Sheriff’s officials said Johnathan and his brother were visiting their father, Jameson Kyle Boley, as part of his allotted five days of visitation for the year, NBC News reported.

During the search, Jameson was arrested and charged with the unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, a Class B felony, Smith said, according to WVTM. He was also charged with two counts of chemical endangerment of a child, which are Class C felonies.

Smith emphasized that the charges are separate from the missing-child case. It is unclear whether the father has secured legal representation.

After the discovery, the sheriff thanked rescue teams and asked the public to respect the family’s privacy.

“I’m very proud of Walker County, I’m very proud of the people that came out and showed this family support,” Smith said, according to WVTM. “I just ask that you show the family respect.”

Johnathan’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, WBRC reported.