NC NC - Jonathan "Johnny" Morales, 13, China Grove, 26 Dec 2025, last seen at home

[diggndeeperstill]

Concern grows for missing Rowan County teen last seen 3 weeks ago

Johnny Morales has brown curly hair and brown eyes. He is 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds.

www.wsoctv.com

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Jonathan “Johnny” Morales, a 13-year-old boy, has been missing since Dec. 26, 2025, when he was last seen at his residence in China Grove.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

Adding a link to another missing 14-year-old boy from the same area, 26 miles apart. I hope they are not related. Johnny needs more attention on his case, it seems.

A link to the other. boy missing here: NC - NC - Gideon Andrew Ferguson, 14, Cleveland, 14 Jan 2026

 

[truthfinder2019]

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0EKhyci5NbNuL869HmjfNKCY6gMrx89ozfM7ExjPr5z2ieMHUEpLMaECKACBffksZl&id=100066843960986

 

[lastkiss]

And another missing 14 year old from North Carolina. Missing since Dec. 29.

I started a thread for him. Link

https://websleuths.com/threads/clay...h-carolina-since-dec-29.761136/#post-19662952

 

[borndem]

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[borndem]

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[truthfinder2019]

https://www.facebook.com/100066843960986/posts/pfbid0Y5tP3i8Xk2FSYWXyh77QEAvNhymBwhRTzMtW3nMBNgrYJnfMLNASgUnGoW64rk6Zl

 

[Spyralflare]

The difference in media coverage and public awareness/action between this case and Gideon’s is staggering. I hope there are searches going on that are just not being publicized.

 

[swanniee11]

Help find FB Log into Facebook Family/friends are admin and posting.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

Wow- Sheriff’s office posted.

This does not sound good. My questions:

1. Family waited 3 cays to report him missing. Why? Fear of something, or maybe him being gone is not unexpected?
2. How long have other agencies been involved?


MISSING JUVENILE - PLEASE SHARE

Rowan County Sheriff's Office Searching for Runaway Juvenile

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (January 18, 2026) – Investigators with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office are currently working to determine the whereabouts of a 13-year-old runaway juvenile.

On December 29, 2025, deputies with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Sylvan Road in reference to a missing person. It was reported to deputies, that 13-year-old Johnathan Morales had left home on December 26, 2025, three days prior, and had not returned.

Early into the investigation, investigators received information that Johnathan had spoken to a friend and told him that he was in the Gastonia area, but did not say where or who he was with. Investigators have been unable to determine the identity of anyone in Gastonia that Johnathan may know or be acquainted with.

Investigators are actively working to determine Johnathan’s whereabouts and have enlisted the assistance of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other local agencies to help locate him.

We have included the most recent photograph that we have of Johnathan. If you have seen Johnathan, know where he is, or have any information of where he may be you are asked to contact Detective Bare at 704-216-8700 or you can contact Rowan County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

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www.facebook.com

No comments allowed on their post either. Strange.

 

[lastkiss]

I’ve just had a look at their page and there are no comments allowed at all. Seems daft for a LE page.

 

[borndem]

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[diggndeeperstill]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Rowan County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff: Travis Allen




Update on Search for Missing Juvenile Johnathan Morales


ROWAN COUNTY, N.C., (January 23, 2026) – Investigators with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office continue to work with state and federal officials to locate missing juvenile, Johnathan Morales.

Investigators have spoken with individuals who have confirmed sightings of Morales in the last couple of days. Information given by the witnesses led investigators to believe that Morales was ok and not in any danger at the time of the sightings. Witnesses also confirmed that his hair was shorter than what is depicted in the picture that we have shared.

This is an ongoing investigation, and investigators are actively searching for Morales to ensure that he is located and returned home safely. If you have seen Morales or know where he is, please contact the Rowan County Sheriff's Office at 704-216-8700, or you can contact Rowan County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.





Do you have information about a crime or wanted person? Contact Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at (704) 216-8700, or you can contact Rowan County Crime Stoppers at www.rowancrimestoppers.org or by calling 1-866-639-JAIL (5245). Caller identity is not required and your information will remain confidential. For more information about the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office visit us on Facebook or at www.rowancountync.gov.

1

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[KBlackRabbit]

It looks like they limit comments for all of their posts.

 

[lastkiss]

Interesting article. Puts a rather worrying slant on Johnny’s disappearance.

https://www.qcnews.com/crime-and-public-safety/missing-persons/have-you-seen-him-rowan-county-13-year-old-has-been-missing-since-december/

‘In the past, when Morales ran away for a day or two, his family says he went to a friend’s house, who is 18 years old and who they say is a bad influence on Morales.

Sechler says the friend contacted her to say, ‘Johnny was here, but he’s gone now, and he left his phone behind.’ Early into the investigation, deputies received information that Johnathan told his friend he was in the Gastonia area.

Investigators say they could not identify anyone in Gastonia whom Johnathan may have known.


She believes the man knows something and isn’t saying.

 

[Spyralflare]

I don’t like the way that sounds at all. Very off for this “friend” to have been letting Johnny stay with him and then weeks later suddenly volunteer to the mother that Johnny was there but now is gone. And what kid leaves voluntarily without his phone?

 

[ChatteringBirds]

He is only 13, so what's going on with anyone who is harboring him? You can drop him off at a police station, and they will help him with whatever he wants/ needs...

 

[TwinkieDefense]

Feb 9, 2026 article

$2,000 reward offered for information on missing 13-year-old in Rowan County

Due to his age and the length of time he has been missing, we believe it is crucial that he is located as soon as possible." - Sheriff

www.wsoctv.com

[…]

Detectives continue to monitor social media accounts and review electronic data, but they have found no credible evidence that Morales has been active online since December 2025.

Information gathered from digital evidence and witness interviews suggests Morales may have associated with individuals involved in gang activity prior to his disappearance.

[…]

 

[ChatteringBirds]

So it sounds like from post #13 something is very wrong at home.

Virtually all families would be searching for their 13-year-old and calling police if he wasn't back home by bedtime, or perhaps the next day, if they thought he was spending the night at a friend's house.

If his parents/guardians don't have that kind of relationship with him, authorities need to get involved, because 13-year-olds are still just kids. They need someone taking care of them still.

I hope and pray he is safe and LE will find him soon and help him, so that he doesn't stay involved with the wrong people. He's just a kid...