Four-Year-Old Florida Boy Found Dead After Extensive Search in Alabama Woods
JASPER, Ala. — After a three-day search that mobilized hundreds of law enforcement officers, volunteers, and specialized teams, Johnathan Everett Boley, a 4-year-old boy from Florida, was found dead in the woods near his father’s rural property in Alabama. The boy, affectionately known as “John John,” disappeared on New Year’s Eve while visiting relatives during a holiday custody arrangement.
Authorities reported that Johnathan wandered away from the family home along Highway 195 near Jasper while playing outside with his dog. The search, which spanned several square miles of heavily wooded terrain, involved K-9 units, drones, and aerial support. On January 2, searchers discovered Johnathan’s body approximately two miles from the residence. His dog, Walker, was located alive in close proximity.
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith expressed profound sorrow over the outcome, stating, “This is not the outcome anyone hoped for. Our hearts go out to this family and everyone who worked tirelessly to bring this child home.” The cause of death has not been released pending an official autopsy. The boy was last seen wearing a yellow Mickey Mouse shirt, black pants, and Paw Patrol shoes.
Johnathan and his siblings live with their mother in Florida and were visiting their father, Jameson Kyle Boley, 40, for the holidays under a custody agreement. During the ongoing investigation, authorities arrested Jameson Boley on charges unrelated to the boy’s disappearance. He faces felony counts for the unlawful manufacture of a destructive device and chemical endangerment of a child after investigators found precursor materials for a destructive device at the property.
The criminal complaint filed in Walker County District Court alleges that Boley possessed substances with intent to manufacture a destructive device or bacteriological weapon around December 31, 2025. Officials clarified that these charges are separate from the circumstances surrounding Johnathan’s disappearance and death.
The search and investigation were coordinated with the assistance of multiple agencies, including local law enforcement and support from aerial and canine units. The Walker County Sheriff’s Office led the operation, with additional resources from neighboring jurisdictions.
Community members gathered in Parrish, Florida, to hold a candlelight vigil at the Church of the Apostles and DaySpring Summer Camp, mourning the loss of the young boy. The tragedy has resonated deeply across both states, highlighting the dangers children face when unsupervised in rural and wooded areas.
For more information on child safety and search operations, the FBI’s Missing Persons Unit provides resources and investigative support. The National Institute of Justice offers research on child protection and law enforcement response. Families seeking guidance on custody and visitation safety can consult the United States Courts’ family dispute resources. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains information on child injury prevention.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Johnathan’s death and the unrelated charges against his father. The community remains united in grief and support for the family during this difficult time.
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