Johnathan Everett Boley, 4, was last seen Dec. 31 near the 7000 block of Highway 195 in Jasper, Alabama. Authorities have launched extensive air and ground searches after he disappeared while with his 6-year-old brother and the family dog, who also remains missing. Investigators found several devices on the father’s property that were later cleared by the FBI as non-explosive; the father was arrested on a separate charge and is not suspected in the disappearance. Search efforts continue, with additional organized searches planned and law enforcement urging anyone with information to come forward.
4-Year-Old Johnathan Boley Missing Near Jasper, Alabama; Father Arrested On Unrelated Charge After Devices Found
Alabama Law Enforcement AgencyJohnathan Everett Boley.
A 4-year-old boy, identified as Johnathan Everett Boley, is missing and believed to be in danger after he was last seen near a rural stretch of Highway 195 in Jasper, Alabama, authorities said.
Walker County and state law enforcement launched coordinated air and ground searches after the child was reported missing on Dec. 31. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issued an alert stating Johnathan was last seen around 11:30 a.m. at the 7000 block of Highway 195. He is described as white, with blonde hair and blue eyes, and was wearing a yellow Mickey Mouse shirt, black pants and Paw Patrol shoes.
Nick Smith, Sheriff of Walker County/FacebookJohnathan Everett Boley's black Labrador Retriever
Search Details
Sheriff Nick Smith of Walker County said authorities were notified of the disappearance around 12:30 p.m. local time. According to officials, Johnathan had been with his 6-year-old brother and the family dog when he vanished. Responders searched the home first and then expanded to large-area searches with multiple agencies and dozens of volunteers. As of the latest updates, searchers have not found the boy or the family dog.
Investigation and Property Search
While searching the father’s property, investigators discovered several devices that initially appeared to be explosive. That discovery temporarily restricted some search activity. The FBI later examined eight devices recovered from the property and determined they were not explosive. The father, a former service member, was taken into custody on a charge that officials have described as separate from the missing-child investigation. Authorities have said he is not suspected in his son’s disappearance.
Google MapsHighway 195 in Jasper, Ala.
A Walker County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told reporters the investigation related to the devices remains ongoing and that it was unclear whether formal charges remain pending or whether the father remains in custody. The father was also interviewed by the FBI.
Family And Next Steps
Sheriff Smith said the children had been visiting their father as part of his allotted five days of visitation for the year; the parents are separated. The boy’s mother returned to Alabama from Florida after learning that her son was missing. Officials organized another search for the morning of Jan. 2 and have asked anyone with information to contact local law enforcement.
"It's still too early to say one way or the other" whether the disappearance is a criminal matter, Sheriff Smith said, adding that the lack of any trace of the child is concerning.
Authorities continue to coordinate search efforts and urge anyone with potential information about Johnathan's whereabouts to reach out to the Walker County Sheriff’s Office or the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
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