Body of Missing Boy, 4, Found With Dog by His Side

UPDATE – Jan. 2, 2026, 6:57 PM CST
A 4-year-old boy has been found dead in Alabama, about two miles from his father’s home. Authorities say Johnathan Boley’s dog, Buck, was found alive beside him, WIAT reports.

Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said there were no signs of foul play. According to AL.com, Johnathan apparently wandered into a wooded area while playing with his brother Wednesday morning. “Like so many of you across our community, we’re devastated by this news,” the sheriff said. “Johnathan was an adventurous boy and loved the outdoors.”

Johnathan’s father, 40-year-old Jameson Kyle Boley, was arrested on charges unrelated to his son’s disappearance after explosive materials were discovered during the search. Court documents also indicate he faces two counts of chemical endangerment of a child. Officials say Johnathan and his 6-year-old brother “had the opportunity” to be exposed to methamphetamine.

Jan. 2, 2026, 5:31 AM CST
Authorities in northern Alabama are searching for a 4-year-old boy who went missing on New Year’s Eve. Johnathan Everett Boley was last seen around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday near Highway 195 in a wooded area of Jasper, roughly 40 miles northwest of Birmingham, according to state officials.

Sheriff Nick Smith told NBC News that the boy, described as white with blond hair and blue eyes, was last seen with the family dog. Johnathan was wearing a yellow Mickey Mouse shirt, black pants, and Paw Patrol shoes. While the father told police the boy is 5, family members told WTVM that Johnathan is 4.

The search included helicopters with thermal imaging, drones, tracking dogs, and hundreds of volunteers. As of Thursday morning, authorities had found no sign of the boy or his dog and detected no heat signatures in the woods. Johnathan’s 6-year-old brother told officials he last saw him near the edge of the woods. More than 500 acres were searched by 126 first responders and 161 volunteers.

The search was paused after potential explosives were reported on the property, WTVM notes. While devices in a wooded area were later deemed non-explosive, the father, a military veteran, was arrested after authorities found explosive materials in his home, WBRC reports.

Sheriff Smith said Boley faces charges of unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device or bacteriological or biological weapon. He emphasized the charges are unrelated to Johnathan’s disappearance. “Neighbors have identified that there’s been a lot of explosions in the neighborhood,” Smith said. “The morning before we arrived, there was a report at about 4 a.m. of a loud explosion.” The FBI bomb squad secured the residence to allow the search to continue.

Johnathan’s parents are separated. His mother, who moved to Florida last year, traveled to Alabama on Wednesday night and is cooperating with investigators. The father has five court-ordered visitation days with his sons each year.

Original Source