Found Deceased AL - Johnathan Boley, 4, Missing Child Alert, Endangered, may be with black dog, last seen 11:30am in 7000 block Hwy 195, Jasper, 31 Dec 2025

[Spectrix]

Pipe bombs all over his land for whatever reason indicates to me that he's not exactly an "experienced father"

I don't believe that there were pipe bombs all over his land. The impression that I got from MSN articles is that explosives (or parts used to make explosives) were found inside the home.

Neighbours reported hearing explosions in the days before the boy was reported missing.
So there was speculation that the father may have been setting off explosives, and as such LE didn't want the general public wandering around the property.

In one of the articles there was a photograph of a piece of pvc pipe with dirt inside sitting on the ground. It wasn't even on his property. That is not a pipe bomb. It's a piece of PVC with dirt inside.

I don't know how responsible or irresponsible the father is, I just think it's not fair to judge based on assumptions.

 

[serosanguineous_drainage]

I don't believe that there were pipe bombs all over his land. The impression that I got from MSN articles is that explosives (or parts used to make explosives) were found inside the home.

Neighbours reported hearing explosions in the days before the boy was reported missing.
So there was speculation that the father may have been setting off explosives, and as such LE didn't want the general public wandering around the property.

In one of the articles there was a photograph of a piece of pvc pipe with dirt inside sitting on the ground. It wasn't even on his property. That is not a pipe bomb. It's a piece of PVC with dirt inside.

I don't know how responsible or irresponsible the father is, I just think it's not fair to judge based on assumptions.

Missing 4-year-old Johnathan ‘John John’ Boley found dead in wooded area in Alabama

“The volunteer search was later suspended after explosives were found in the woods surrounding the home. Smith said at least eight other devices were found, but he wasn’t sure if they were charged pending examination by FBI explosives experts.“Neighbors said they’ve been hearing explosions for weeks now,” the sheriff said. “They didn’t really know where it was coming from.”

 

[Spectrix]

Missing 4-year-old Johnathan ‘John John’ Boley found dead in wooded area in Alabama

“The volunteer search was later suspended after explosives were found in the woods surrounding the home. Smith said at least eight other devices were found, but he wasn’t sure if they were charged pending examination by FBI explosives experts.“Neighbors said they’ve been hearing explosions for weeks now,” the sheriff said. “They didn’t really know where it was coming from.”

Thank you. I did see that article earlier, though all but the first paragraph is blurred out for me.
I appreciate the clarification.

 

[Spectrix]

Volunteers and the FBI searched for Johnathan in the area he'd last been seen, but had to pause due to possible explosives on the child's father Jameson Boley's property and in the woods. Smith later clarified the devices in the woods were deemed to be non-explosive.

Source - KTVB7

 

[Jw192]

I don't believe that there were pipe bombs all over his land. The impression that I got from MSN articles is that explosives (or parts used to make explosives) were found inside the home.

Neighbours reported hearing explosions in the days before the boy was reported missing.
So there was speculation that the father may have been setting off explosives, and as such LE didn't want the general public wandering around the property.

In one of the articles there was a photograph of a piece of pvc pipe with dirt inside sitting on the ground. It wasn't even on his property. That is not a pipe bomb. It's a piece of PVC with dirt inside.

I don't know how responsible or irresponsible the father is, I just think it's not fair to judge based on assumptions.

Missing 4-year-old Johnathan ‘John John’ Boley found dead in wooded area in Alabama

“The volunteer search was later suspended after explosives were found in the woods surrounding the home. Smith said at least eight other devices were found, but he wasn’t sure if they were charged pending examination by FBI explosives experts.“Neighbors said they’ve been hearing explosions for weeks now,” the sheriff said. “They didn’t really know where it was coming from.”

Yup that's what I read also, that there were explosives in the woods surrounding the home, i.e all over his land (and more)

I feel like given the information that we have from LE plus the charges laid on the table for the father, I'm not being unfair in my judgement that some negligence certainly took place here. I'm not in any way saying that father was the cause of the little man wandering off, nor the direct cause of his death... However, if you do the maths here - explosives found IN and SURROUNDING the property that contained two small children + alleged chemical substances found in the home with reference to manufacturing × only 5 days visitation A YEAR = negligence at least. Child endangerment.

My heart goes out to the father regardless as I don't believe that he wanted or expected any harm to come to his son, but my heart literally aches for the mother here. I can imagine that there is more to the custody arrangement than we know as 5 days a year is not the norm and, I believe that when she packed her little boys to go off for those 5 days that she was sick to the stomach with worry, which turned out to be warranted.

Such a heartbreaking case. Buck staying with Johnathan like the good boy he is, man

 

[Spectrix]

My heart goes out to the father regardless as I don't believe that he wanted or expected any harm to come to his son, but my heart literally aches for the mother here. I can imagine that there is more to the custody arrangement than we know as 5 days a year is not the norm and, I believe that when she packed her little boys to go off for those 5 days that she was sick to the stomach with worry, which turned out to be warranted.

Such a heartbreaking case. Buck staying with Johnathan like the good boy he is, man

It sure is an interesting custody arrangement and I agree, it's likely there is a good reason that the visits were restricted the way they were. I feel bad for the father too. I'm not sure what happens moving forwards but I feel like being found with both explosives and methamphetamine in one's home is probably a good way to put an end to any prior custody arrangement even if those items were locked away.

Props to Buck (the Labrador) who stood by the child for days and appears to be the responsible adult in the situation.

 

[TMich6811]

Volunteers and the FBI searched for Johnathan in the area he'd last been seen, but had to pause due to possible explosives on the child's father Jameson Boley's property and in the woods. Smith later clarified the devices in the woods were deemed to be non-explosive.

Source - KTVB7

Meh he could have been honest up front and said either “there are explosives, move fast” or “there are things that look like explosives, let me explain” but nothing from him until the police had to be aware on their own. Imo he will have to live with this forever because this child likely could have been found had this not happened

IMO

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Is he a meth addict? A dealer? Both?

I feel bad for the father too.

You are very kind.

 

[Gators North]

This might have been mentioned already, but does the father have any prior criminal history?

 

[Leilei]

For those who are concerned about Buck, the Walker County Sheriff posted on his FB page this morning that a relative has taken him in.
No pound for this good boy.
IMO.

 

[tlcya]

My heart hurts for all in this case. I am sure JKB never in a million years wanted anything to happen to either of his boys. It sounds as if this was his first visit with his sons in 2025 and it was a duration of five days. With children aged 4 and 6. His home seems to have not been set up for supervising young children and some of his choices would appear to indicate it may not have been an appropriate setting for them. Regardless of that, I can offer him grace in this case. He will pay the consequences for his poor choices, even though they seem unrelated to what happened to John John. He will carry this loss for the rest of his life. I will pray for him.

 

[TMich6811]

My heart hurts for all in this case. I am sure JKB never in a million years wanted anything to happen to either of his boys. It sounds as if this was his first visit with his sons in 2025 and it was a duration of five days. With children aged 4 and 6. His home seems to have not been set up for supervising young children and some of his choices would appear to indicate it may not have been an appropriate setting for them. Regardless of that, I can offer him grace in this case. He will pay the consequences for his poor choices, even though they seem unrelated to what happened to John John. He will carry this loss for the rest of his life. I will pray for him.

As I so often say - you’re such a better human than I am and I am grateful

 

[Chimera]

Jesus, pipe bombs around the perimeter are starting to make more sense… if dad’s operating a meth lab.

Eek.
Doesn't sound like the best environment for these boys, but the dad did have partial custody so the social services would have known about the bombs/explosives since he was allowed partial custody, and they would've trusted the dad to watch over the children carefully.
What a sad outcome.
Can't find the cause of death, do they think it was succumbing to the elements ?
No visible wounds or trauma, afaik ?
Imo.

 

[Chimera]

Moo...they could of of at least tried to sée if the dog would respond, doesn't change that he was arrested

If dad was arrested during the search for Johnathan, LE must had had doubts as to what transpired to the vanishing of the little boy; but at this time I'm guessing he could be charged with negligence ?
Imo.

 

[Spectrix]

If dad was arrested during the search for Johnathan, LE must had had doubts as to what transpired to the vanishing of the little boy

The way I understand it, law enforcement exercised due diligence to thoroughly search the home and property for the child, and in the process discovered explosives and possibly something to do with methamphetamine.

They were also quick to point out to media that the charges that arose following the search had nothing to do with the child's disappearance.

 

[Vern_S]

Can't find the cause of death, do they think it was succumbing to the elements ?
No visible wounds or trauma, afaik ?
Imo.

Autopsy will be done. I would think on Monday.

Johnathan was found by a volunteer doing a grid search, discovering his body near a creek in a wooded area about two miles from his father’s home.

He may have fell in the creek, drowned, and the dog pulled him out. Or he may have fell in the creek, crawled out or was dragged out by the dog soaking wet and then passed due to hypothermia. Autopsy will be telling.

A number of creeks in heavy forest.

 

[Spectrix]

He may have fell in the creek, drowned, and the dog pulled him out. Or he may have fell in the creek, crawled out or was dragged out by the dog soaking wet and then passed due to hypothermia. Autopsy will be telling.

It may also be that he died from hypothermia just from being outside for a prolonged period at below freezing temperatures without appropriate clothing. It doesn't take long for a small child.

Edited to add - Thank you for posting the map.

 

[Chimera]

Tragic end in search for 4-year-old boy who went missing with dog

Johnathan Everett 'John John' Boley, 4, was last seen on the morning of New Year's Eve playing outside his father's Alabama home with his older brother and their dog, Buck.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Johnathan Everett 'John John' Boley, 4, was last seen around 11:30am Wednesday playing outside in Jasper with his six-year-old brother and their dog, Buck, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
The grim discovery came after the Walker County Sheriff's Office received a call from Johnathan's father around 12:30pm on New Year's Eve reporting him missing, according to police.

Rest in peace, Johnathan !
He wasn't that far from home, so sad he wasn't located in time.
Bless that doggo for staying close to him.
Condolences to his family.
Imo.

 

[Lucy6226]

Oh my heart breaks for this little boy, the fact the dog stayed with him made me tear up. What a good doggo, may he get all the treats.

I'm hoping this is a case of wandering and just a tragic accident that couldn't have been prevented. Agreeing with others about the potential safety and suitability of dad's home and surrounding area and if perhaps that will play into negligence or not. The 5 days a year really makes me think there were some questions about regular unsupervised contact. All moo.

 

[tlcya]

Eek.
Doesn't sound like the best environment for these boys, but the dad did have partial custody so the social services would have known about the bombs/explosives since he was allowed partial custody, and they would've trusted the dad to watch over the children carefully.
What a sad outcome.
Can't find the cause of death, do they think it was succumbing to the elements ?
No visible wounds or trauma, afaik ?
Imo.

I don't think this is necessarily true. Just because the court granted him visitation in his divorce does not IMO mean anyone knew about the explosives or explosive components or the meth or meth making chemicals.

ETA but again, it appears neither of those were factors in what happened to Johnathan so, yeah just some poor decisions that in hindsight will likely haunt him.