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

[Chimera]

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.

Yes, that makes sense, too.
I was thinking out loud.
Wonder if there were any red flags outside of the explosives or meth-making, before Johnathan went missing ?
Had their mother voiced concerns ?
Imo.

 

[Lebowski]

just catching up. very sad news. my thoughts are with the family.

 

[Lebowski]

i'm guessing the dad was very upset when they told him he could only get 5 days a year. turns out he couldn't even handle that.

 

[nao]

Moo... country children do like to explore, especially if they have a special bond with their dog. The unconditional love and trust between the two. John John and Buck went on an adventure. They probably walked till the sun started going down but by then they were possibly out of the territory the dog knows. So they were both lost. They were searching with thermals maybe the area they searched was not far enough. Very sad but I do not see the father as being responsible for the wandering away.
I am very sorry they did not let the father help with the search, must of broke his heart sitting in jail unable to do anything..moo

 

[Lebowski]

Moo... country children do like to explore, especially if they have a special bond with their dog. The unconditional love and trust between the two. John John and Buck went on an adventure. They probably walked till the sun started going down but by then they were possibly out of the territory the dog knows. So they were both lost. They were searching with thermals maybe the area they searched was not far enough. Very sad but I do not see the father as being responsible for the wandering away.
I am very sorry they did not let the father help with the search, must of broke his heart sitting in jail unable to do anything..moo

maybe i'm being a little too judgmental, and i know kids wander and usually i try not to blame too much. but in this case, we have signs the father was legitimately failing to provide a safe environment.

also, if it's true that there were booby traps and explosives on the property, and the police had to stop the volunteer searches because of it, that may well have prevented johnathan from being found sooner, and that is on the dad.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

Nick Smith, Sheriff of Walker County has a few things to say.

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There are a few things being said on social media that I want to clear up, especially for those trying to turn this tragedy into something different. In Alabama, an AMBER Alert can only be issued when strict criteria are met. Law enforcement must confirm a child was abducted, the child is under 18, is believed to be in immediate danger, and there must be enough descriptive information about a suspect or vehicle for the public to assist; if any of these elements are missing, an AMBER Alert cannot be issued. An Emergency/Endangered Missing Child Alert, which is what was approved in this case, is used when a child is missing and believed to be at risk, but there is no confirmed abduction or sufficient information to meet AMBER criteria. Not issuing an AMBER Alert does not mean the situation was not taken seriously, only that the legal requirements were not met at that time. As the local sheriff, I do not control the AMBER Alert system. It operates under state and federal laws with specific criteria. Also, searches were never completely stopped. Ground searches for civilian volunteers were only temporarily suspended at times to ensure their safety while potential explosive devices were investigated. Law enforcement and fire personnel continued working throughout, as the threat was serious and civilian safety had to be considered. Buck was not picked up by law enforcement or taken to a shelter; a family member advised they were taking him. I never turned away help away. Anyone who offered assistance was welcomed, regardless of past criticism, because this was never about feelings or individuals. It was about Jonathan. I have been present around the clock except for a few hours of rest today, and this is something I never imagined facing in my career. As a father, it has hurt me deeply. I am incredibly proud of Walker County. My own daughters volunteered for two days after being moved and inspired by the compassion shown by this county. Law enforcement is still actively working, and I ask everyone to continue praying for the family, law enforcement, first responders, and volunteers. I will provide updates when new information becomes available.

 

[MarciB]

Moo... country children do like to explore, especially if they have a special bond with their dog. The unconditional love and trust between the two. John John and Buck went on an adventure. They probably walked till the sun started going down but by then they were possibly out of the territory the dog knows. So they were both lost. They were searching with thermals maybe the area they searched was not far enough. Very sad but I do not see the father as being responsible for the wandering away.
I am very sorry they did not let the father help with the search, must of broke his heart sitting in jail unable to do anything..moo

IDK. I think the dog would have been able to find the way back but stayed because the boy was not able to go on - either dying or dead. The dad using explosives is a red flag. There is a lot more to this case than we know

 

[lonetraveler]

Has there been a COD issued yet?

 

[diggndeeperstill]

BBM

38K views · 248 reactions | JOHNATHAN BOLEY DEATH INVESTIGATION UPDATE: Today my colleague Charlize Ramos spoke with Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith about the latest into the investigation into 4 year old Johnathan Boleys Death. Smith says Bole

JOHNATHAN BOLEY DEATH INVESTIGATION UPDATE: Today my colleague Charlize Ramos spoke with Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith about the latest into the investigation into 4 year old Johnathan Boleys...

www.facebook.com

JOHNATHAN BOLEY DEATH INVESTIGATION UPDATE:

Today my colleague Charlize Ramos spoke with Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith about the latest into the investigation into 4 year old Johnathan Boleys Death.

Smith says Boley was found partially in a body of water around 2 miles from his father, Jameson Boley, home. That is where Johnathan was last seen walking into the woods around 11:30am on New Years Eve.

Smith says the FBI and State investigators are working alongside WCSO deputies on the scene.

An autopsy will be performed tomorrow morning in Huntsville. Smith is hopeful this will provide more answers as to what led to Johnathon’s death.

Charlize Ramos will have more from Smith at 10pm tonight on CBS 42.

Smith says he will be holding a press conference at 12PM CST tomorrow CBS 42 will carry the press conference live on CBS42.com and it will be streamed here on Facebook as well.

MORE

https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/missing-alabama-boy-johnathon-boley-walker-county/walker-county-sheriff-nick-smith-updates-community-on-johnathan-boley-case/

 

[nao]

IDK. I think the dog would have been able to find the way back but stayed because the boy was not able to go on - either dying or dead. The dad using explosives is a red flag. There is a lot more to this case than we know

Moo..yes the dog would of found its way home eventually. But you have a child following the dog and the dog following the child. My dogs are trained ..go home.. because that's what people yell to strange dogs and also I have got lost hiking, have to put faith in dogs nose.
I do not know about the explosives. What was thought to be explosives were not actually explosives. So when he goes to court, then it will be known what was there...moo

 

[Gemmie]

Moo..yes the dog would of found its way home eventually. But you have a child following the dog and the dog following the child. My dogs are trained ..go home.. because that's what people yell to strange dogs and also I have got lost hiking, have to put faith in dogs nose.
I do not know about the explosives. What was thought to be explosives were not actually explosives. So when he goes to court, then it will be known what was there...moo

I'll bet that if the dog had gone back home, that he would have tried to get his people to follow him to where Johnathan was. Dogs are smart like that.

It's my belief this is exactly what Buck would have done:

 

[nao]

I'll bet that if the dog had gone back home, that he would have tried to get his people to follow him to where Johnathan was. Dogs are smart like that.

It's my belief this is exactly what Buck would have done:

Moo...yes I agree, that is why I think they should of let the father help with search.....moo

 

[Gemmie]

Moo...yes I agree, that is why I think they should of let the father help with search.....moo

And if he could have gone out and at least called for the dog... the dog would have come running and then ran back off to Johnathan, hoping his human would to follow. Even if he was allowed to call for Johnathan his dog would have recognized his voice and come a-runnin', hoping that the boy was going to be saved.

 

[LookingForClues]

As much as I agree Buck would have responded to his owner's voice, since he ultimately was not involved in the search, I'm comforted knowing Buck stayed with John John. It would make the youngster's fear less overwhelming than if the dog ran off. Little kids don't know their furry friend is going for help. They only know they've been left alone.

Such sadness all around. This poor family.

 

[nao]

And if he could have gone out and at least called for the dog... the dog would have come running and then ran back off to Johnathan, hoping his human would to follow. Even if he was allowed to call for Johnathan his dog would have recognized his voice and come a-runnin', hoping that the boy was going to be saved.

Moo...I think they should of given that a try. I whistle (woody woodpecker theme) I might be sitting for 30 minutes+ but the dogs always find me.... The whistle sound travels far...moo

 

[Megnut]

BBM

38K views · 248 reactions | JOHNATHAN BOLEY DEATH INVESTIGATION UPDATE: Today my colleague Charlize Ramos spoke with Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith about the latest into the investigation into 4 year old Johnathan Boleys Death. Smith says Bole

JOHNATHAN BOLEY DEATH INVESTIGATION UPDATE: Today my colleague Charlize Ramos spoke with Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith about the latest into the investigation into 4 year old Johnathan Boleys...

www.facebook.com

JOHNATHAN BOLEY DEATH INVESTIGATION UPDATE:

Today my colleague Charlize Ramos spoke with Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith about the latest into the investigation into 4 year old Johnathan Boleys Death.

Smith says Boley was found partially in a body of water around 2 miles from his father, Jameson Boley, home. That is where Johnathan was last seen walking into the woods around 11:30am on New Years Eve.

Smith says the FBI and State investigators are working alongside WCSO deputies on the scene.

An autopsy will be performed tomorrow morning in Huntsville. Smith is hopeful this will provide more answers as to what led to Johnathon’s death.

Charlize Ramos will have more from Smith at 10pm tonight on CBS 42.

Smith says he will be holding a press conference at 12PM CST tomorrow CBS 42 will carry the press conference live on CBS42.com and it will be streamed here on Facebook as well.

MORE

https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/missing-alabama-boy-johnathon-boley-walker-county/walker-county-sheriff-nick-smith-updates-community-on-johnathan-boley-case/

I suspect Buck is DOUBLE the hero we already feel he is. IMO Buck pulled JJ out of the water. And stood sentry until relieved of his duty.

JMO

 

[Bounceycat]

And if he could have gone out and at least called for the dog... the dog would have come running and then ran back off to Johnathan, hoping his human would to follow. Even if he was allowed to call for Johnathan his dog would have recognized his voice and come a-runnin', hoping that the boy was going to be saved.

I believe he would have done that in the approx 2-ish hours between the "last seen" at 11:30am and the 911 call.

 

[nao]

I believe he would have done that in the approx 2-ish hours between the "last seen" at 11:30am and the 911 call.

Moo... true but the dog n child are doing their thing... selective hearing. Later hour or days would bring a different response...moo

 

[Emerald1328]

I fear that the discovery of explosives material and the subsequent need for a cautious search, may have wasted precious time and led to a preventable death. Or that the two hour delay in reporting him missing (possibly due to the removal of evidence of other activities the father didn’t want discovered by LE) contributed to a possible recovery of an alive John.

 

[tlcya]

I suspect Buck is DOUBLE the hero we already feel he is. IMO Buck pulled JJ out of the water. And stood sentry until relieved of his duty.

JMO

I was wondering the same, did Buck pull Jon Jon to shore and then stand guard by his little companion until searchers found them? Such a good and faithful fur friend.