Days after a tragic discovery, the cause of death for a 4-year-old boy found near his father’s residence in Alabama remains a mystery, authorities revealed on Monday.
According to a report from AL.com, the autopsy on young Johnathan Boley showed no evidence of trauma or foul play. Boley disappeared on Wednesday while visiting his father in Walker County, and his body was discovered two miles away from the home on Friday.
The last person to see Boley was his 6-year-old brother, who recalled him venturing into the woods with the family’s loyal dog, Buck, by his side. The dog was found alive next to the boy’s body.
Sheriff Nick Smith reported that Boley was found partially submerged in a creek, but the duration of time he had been deceased before being found remains undetermined.
Sheriff Smith recounted to AL.com, “One of the volunteers mentioned the dog was spotted first, and it seemed to guide them back to where John John was located.”
In a disturbing twist shortly following Boley’s disappearance, his father was taken into custody after explosive materials were discovered at his home and on his property. The FBI was also called to the scene as remnants of previous detonations were found in the wooded area where Boley had been missing.
Shortly after Boley’s reported disappearance, his father was arrested for explosive materials discovered inside his home and around his property. The FBI also responded to the scene because explosive materials from previous detonations were found in the woods where Boley had vanished.
Sheriff Nick Smith said the missing boy’s father, Jameson Boley, 40, was arrested for unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device or bacteriological or biological weapon. Smith also noted that the missing boy and his brother live with their mother in Florida, but they were with their father for five days. The boys were to return to their mother on Thursday.
Since then, Smith told AL.com that the amount of explosives discovered could have “leveled an entire home.” The sheriff said it is unclear what kind of explosives were in the father’s residence, or why he had them. Reports indicated that the father was formerly in the military.
In addition to the explosives charge, Jameson Boley was also accused of having methamphetamine within his sons’ reach. Smith said he has been informed of his son’s death.
[Feature Photo: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency]
