WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — The search for Johnathan Boley resumed Friday morning with search teams continuing to comb the woods behind his father’s home in Thatch, Alabama.
The 4-year-old boy, along with his dog, were last seen walking away from his father’s property on Hwy 195 and into a wooded area on New Year’s Eve around 11:30 a.m. Johnathan was reportedly wearing a yellow Mickey Mouse shift, black pants, and Paw Patrol shows when last seen.
While search efforts have so far failed to locate Johnathan, Walker County EMA Director Regina Myers said the plan is to expand the search area Friday.
On Thursday, the father of Johnathan, Jameson Boley, was arrested after explosive materials were found in his home during the search for Johnathon. Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith emphasized that the father was arrested only on charges related to the explosives and had not been charged in connection with Johnathon’s disappearance.
Additionally, the volunteer search for Johnathan was temporarily suspended Thursday after the discovery of what authorities believed to be explosive devices near the property. Sheriff Smith later reported that none of the devices found across from the home were found to be explosive.
“Volunteers were flagging potential things that they thought might be explosives,” Smith said. “We have identified across the street that none of those items flagged were explosives.”
According to Smith, the volunteers were on the lookout for explosives due to devices that were found inside Jameson Boley’s home.
“We had to back out of the house due to some explosives, materials inside the house that made it dangerous for law enforcement to continue a search of the residence. Neighbors have identified that there’s been a lot of explosions in the neighborhood prior to us being here,” Smith explained.
Authorities have used drones equipped with thermal imaging but have not detected heat signatures indicating the child is in the woods, Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said. He added that Boley’s 6-year-old brother last saw him crossing under a fence.
The family of Johnathan Boley noted there are concerns a fake GoFundMe is circulating online, and released the following statement:
“I’ve seen some people mention GoFundMe’s and I think there may be one floating around out there but it is not ours and we don’t know the people who started. If you could please advise people not to donate any at this time, it’s most likely scammers. I am working on getting an official one started to help John’s mom with expenses while she’s missing work, and for the volunteers. I’ll get the info as soon as we have it.
Right now biggest thing we need is prayer, and people to continue searching and getting the word out.”