Body of Missing 4-Year-Old, Jonathan Boley Found With Dog by His Side

January 2, 2026
Updated: January 7, 2026
7:04 am

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WALKER COUNTY, Ala (BFMG) –The body of a missing 4-year-old Walker County boy has been found nearly two miles from the home where he was last seen on Dec. 31, authorities said.

Walker County Sheriff’s Office officials said Jonathan Everett Boley was discovered with his dog, Buck, reportedly by his side when searchers reached the area.

The boy had been the subject of an intensive multi-day search involving local, state and federal agencies, along with hundreds of volunteers who canvassed woods, fields and waterways near the Manchester community north of Jasper.

Authorities said the child was originally reported missing after he was believed to have gone under a fence line with his dog from his father’s property along Highway 195.

Investigators have not yet released details about how the boy died or how long he may have been at the location where he was found, but Sheriff Smith intends to give another briefing a little later on where we expect him to provide more details.

The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is ongoing, and the cause and manor of death are pending further testing after an autopsy was performed on Tuesday, and detectives are continuing to process the scene and surrounding areas.

Officials expressed gratitude to the many agencies and volunteers who assisted in the search and asked the community to keep the child’s family in their thoughts as they grieve.

The family has setup a donation point for support with expenses during this difficult time. Click the link below to donate.

Donation Link – https://dayspringfla.org/giving/

Stay tuned for developments in this story.

Case Timeline

December 31 at 11:30 AM (CST)

Last seen wearing a yellow Mickey Mouse shirt, black pants and Paw Patrol shoes when he went over a fenceline with his dog. His brother who was with him returned to his parents to notify them.

December 31 at 12:28 PM (CST)

Walker County Sheriff’s Office received a call to report the child missing.

December 31 at 1:02 PM (CST)

Walker County Sheriff’s Office arrived on-scene, cleared home.

December 31 at 1:15 PM (CST)

Ground search began, then continued with Air Support from ALEA and drones

January 1, 2024 7:00PM (CST)

Air support, volunteers, drones, K-9’s and helicopters have been searching throughout the day.
Suspended search for civilians after volunteers flagged several items they thought to be explosives, since determined not to be explosives.
Since 7am, 126 first responders, 161 volunteers, covered 400+ acres today.
Regrouping tomorrow morning at 7AM(cst)
FBI is working on collecting data and other evidence.
The search is not expanded beyond Walker County.
Drones and helicopter will run thermal through the night alternating to provide air support through the night
More K-9’s are going out currently to search again.
Volunteers have been very helpful, listening to instructions and operating safely.
Sheriff Smith says the 6-year-old is reporting he was last with his brother and the dog and he is going with that story until evidence shows otherwise.

January 2, 2026 at 7:00 AM (CST)

Volunteer ground search resumes with locals, experienced volunteers, and officials.

January 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM (CST)

Sheriff Nick Smith gives update on the search to media and pleads with the community to check in, under, behind, and between everything for the young boy.
He corrects the age of Jonathan Boley to 4-years-old and says the father reported him missing and stated his age was 5.
Charges are added:
- Unlawful Manufacturing of a Destructive Device
- Chemical Endangerment of a Child
District Judge Allison M. Jones set Jameson Boley's bond at $300,0000, citing him being a danger to the community due to the presence of explosives at his home where children were.

January 2, 2026 at 2:45 PM (CST)

Sheriff Nick Smith announces the recovery of Jonathan Boley’s body with his dog by his side. Buck is presumably in good condition.

January 6, 2026 at TBD (CST)

An autopsy was performed in Huntsville, AL, but the cause and manor have not yet been released.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith told media they are awaiting further testing and Boler’s father is still incarcerated, but has been moved to a nearby county detention facility because of the attention the case has received.