Florida Boy Johnathan Boley, 4, Found Dead in Alabama Woods after Disappearing with Dog on New Year's Eve

Authorities searching for a 4-year-old Florida boy who disappeared on New Year's Eve near an Alabama home said Friday that days of intensive efforts across Walker County had entered a critical stage.

Johnathan Everett Boley, affectionately called "John John," was the subject of a multi-day search that drew local, state, and federal agencies as well as hundreds of volunteers, authorities said. What followed was a rapid response that began within minutes of Boley's reported disappearance.

How the Search Began

Boley was last seen around 11:30 a.m. on New Year's Eve near the 7000 block of Highway 195, between the Manchester and Thach communities in north Walker County, according to the Walker County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies received a call reporting a missing child at approximately 12:28 p.m. that day. Investigators later learned that Boley had been outside playing with his brother near a fence line when he followed a black Labrador named Buck across it.

"The indications were that (Johnathan) and his brother were outside playing around the fence line, with a dog," Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said during the search. "The brother said that the dog and his brother went across the fence line."

Search crews deployed thermal-imaging drones and dive teams to scan nearby ponds and dense terrain. No heat signatures were detected in the initial hours.

Safety Concerns Force Suspension of Civilian Search Efforts

However, during the search, deputies suspended civilian efforts near the little boy's father’s property after discovering explosive materials inside the home.

Authorities said at least eight suspected explosive devices were identified, prompting safety concerns and the involvement of federal specialists.

"We have suspended the search for civilians," Smith said. "We do not believe they are charged, but I cannot say that to be sure until they are examined by the FBI bomb explosives team."

Neighbors had reportedly heard explosions in the area for weeks, though Smith cautioned against drawing any conclusions.

"The father is prior military. Neighbors have been saying they have been hearing explosions for weeks now, they didn't really know where it was coming from. The morning before the report came in, one of the neighbors reported they heard a explosion around 4 a.m. Can't say that's any kind of connection to the missing child [sic]," said Smith.

Arrests and Charges Filed

Boley’s father, Jameson Kyle Boley, was arrested and charged with unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device and two counts of chemical endangerment of a child. Smith repeatedly stressed that the charges are not related to the little boy’s disappearance.

"The father has been charged. It has nothing to in connection with the missing child, it's something totally separate, but is still a factor that is hindering our search [sic]," Smith said on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

"We have a search warrant for the property that they are having to take care of some explosive devices before we can get inside the residence and do a thorough search. There has been evidence of explosive devices on the property," he added.

According to ABC 33/40, the father was booked into the Blount County Jail on Friday, January 2, 2026, in the afternoon under a "hold for another agency." The Blount County Sheriff's Office said it is housing him on behalf of Walker County.

"We wanted him to be out of Walker County once Johnathan was found and once he was notified," Smith told the outlet. As investigators continued working through safety concerns and custody issues, attention also turned to the little boy's family circumstances and how he came to be in Alabama.

Family Circumstances and the Final Days of the Search

Authorities say that Boley's parents are separated and that he and his mother moved to Florida about a year ago. The little boy was visiting for the holidays. In a news conference on Thursday, Smith reportedly disclosed that the boy's mother had arrived from Florida and has been working with authorities.

"The mother did make it in last night from Florida. We have spoken to her and she has cooperated with us to the best of her abilities," Smith reportedly said.

But by the time search teams gathered again in north Walker County on Friday, January 2, 2026, the effort had already stretched into its third day, marked by long hours, uneasy pauses, and a growing sense of dread.

Volunteers had combed the thick woods and the nearby water, law enforcement had narrowed its focus, and a small rural community waited for word that many still hoped would come differently.

Where the Search Led

Around 2 p.m. Friday, Sheriff Smith confirmed during a news conference that the little boy's body had been found in wooded terrain roughly two miles from his father's home near Jasper. The dog, Buck, was found alive with him.

"It's with great sadness that I'm here to announce that we have located Jonathan, and Jonathan is deceased. Um, Buck is still with Jonathan. Buck is alive," Smith announced.

Smith emphasized that the outcome was devastating not only for the family but also for the volunteers and professionals who had worked around the clock. "This is not the outcome that we wanted to see, and uh, we were hopeful for a positive outcome," he said. "But again, I can't thank you enough for taking your time and showing this family the support that you've done."

The sheriff declined to take questions at the time, saying additional investigative work was still underway. The discovery followed an increasingly complex search marked by safety concerns and emotional appeals from loved ones.

Community and Family Speak Out After Search

In a January 3 Facebook post, the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida identified the deceased as the son of Angel Boley, a Guest Services Director at DaySpring. The diocese called the loss tragic and urged prayers for the family. A support fund was also established to assist the family.

Days later, the deceased aunt, Caitlyn Gray, shared a message on Facebook thanking the hundreds of volunteers and first responders who searched for her nephew. She defended the search's handling and praised Smith and the participating agencies for never giving up.

Who Assisted in the Search

Multiple agencies supported the effort, including the FBI, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and several local police departments. As investigators continue their work, authorities have asked the public to respect the family’s privacy during what Smith described as "a very hard time" for the community.

As the investigation continues, authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding Johnathan’s death. Officials reiterated that the case remains active and urged the public to allow investigators and the family space as the community begins to process a loss that has left a lasting mark across Walker County and beyond.