Missing 4-Year-Old Boy Found Dead After Disappearing on New Year’s Eve, Alabama Sheriff Says

A 4-year-old boy was found dead about two miles away from his Alabama home following his disappearance on New Year’s Eve, according to authorities.

His father, Jameson Kyle Boley, was arrested on an explosives charge before the discovery of his body, NBC News reported. Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith told reporters that the charge was unrelated to the boy’s disappearance, according to the outlet.

On Friday, January 2, Smith announced at a news conference shared by WVTM Johnathan Everett Boley’s body was found near his father’s home in Jasper. He was found with a black Labrador retriever, according to Smith. The dog was considered missing with him.

“It’s with great sadness that I’m here to announce that we have located Johnathan,” Smith said. “Johnathan is deceased.”

Smith added that the Labrador retriever was with Johnathan and “is alive.”

Jonathan was last seen the morning of Wednesday, December 31 in Jasper, according to an alert from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. He had been wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt, black pants and Paw Patrol shoes.

The boy was “believed to be in danger,” the agency said.

Johnathan was first reported missing by his father, according to Smith, WVTM reported. Ahead of his disappearance, Johnathan had been with his brother and the black Labrador retriever, the sheriff said.

During the Friday news conference, Smith said Johnathan’s 6-year-old brother had “identified the last place that he saw John John,” NBC news reported.

Jameson, meanwhile, has been charged with unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device and two counts of chemical endangerment of a child, Smith said, WBRC reported.

Smith announced the charges against Jameson on Wednesday as authorities searched for his son, according to the outlet.

The sheriff said the charges were “something totally separate” from Johnathan’s disappearance, but added that they were “still a factor that is hindering our search,” WBRC reported.

Information on Jameson’s legal representation was not immediately available

While speaking to the media, Smith said that explosives were found on Jameson’s property, leading to his arrest, according to NBC News.

“Neighbors have said they’ve been hearing explosions for weeks now,” Smith said, the outlet reported. “They didn’t really know where it was coming from. The morning before the [missing person] report came in, one of the neighbors reported that they heard an explosion about 4 a.m. that morning, they just didn’t know where it came from. Can’t say that that’s in any kind of connection to the missing child.”

According to authorities, Johnathan had been staying with Jameson for the holidays, WBRC reported. His father is separated from his mother, who lives in Florida, according to the outlet.

Jameson was allowed to see Johnathan for five days a year under the terms of a custody agreement, NBC News reported.

“We’re just devastated by this news,” Smith said of Johnathan’s death at the Friday news conference. “Johnathan was an adventurous boy and he loved the outdoors.”

“Our hearts are heavy, and we ask for privacy, compassion, and continued prayers for his family during this incredibly difficult time,” Smith wrote in a Facebook post on Friday.

“I cannot begin to express my appreciation for the tireless efforts of all law enforcement, first responders, EMA, E-911 personnel, and most importantly our community and dedicated volunteers whose support and commitment will never be forgotten,” Smith added.