A former Ohio teacher is facing charges after authorities accused him of knowingly sheltering a missing teenage girl, despite knowing she had been reported missing.
Jobe Binkley, 48, of Springfield, Ohio, was charged with interference with custody, a first-degree misdemeanor carrying a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, according to a criminal complaint obtained by News Outlet.
The teen had been missing for 263 days after she reportedly ran away from a Columbus youth shelter on Dec. 2, 2025, WSYX and The New York Post reported.
The reports identified Binkley as the girl’s former high school science teacher.
In the complaint, officers alleged that Binkley “did knowingly allow the child victim to stay in his home while having knowledge of the victim being an active missing juvenile.” (Getty Images)
The complaint alleges that Binkley “did knowingly allow the child victim to stay in his home while having knowledge of the victim being an active missing juvenile.”
A probable cause affidavit says a U.S. Marshals Office agent went to Binkley’s Springfield residence on Aug. 21 after investigators determined it was the girl’s last known location.
According to the affidavit, Binkley told the officer the teenager was inside the house. He then called for her, and she came outside.
“He spoke with the resident owner, Jobe Binkley, who stated the juvenile was inside. He called for the juvenile, and they exited the home,” the affidavit states.
Investigators further alleged that officers had visited Binkley’s home twice before while looking for the missing teen.
On both occasions, Binkley allegedly denied officers entry and told them the girl was not inside.
“Officers had been to Mr. Binkley’s house on two previous occasions where the juvenile was entered missing,” the affidavit says.
“At those times he refused officers to enter his home and stated that the missing person was not inside. Officers noted that Jobe was made aware the individual was in fact an active missing person.”
The New York Post reported that Binkley was placed on administrative leave by Springfield City Schools in November 2024 and again in January 2025. He was fired the following month.
The Clark County Municipal Court in Springfield, Ohio, where Jobe Binkley is expected to appear for a pretrial hearing on Sept. 30. (Google Maps)
Chelsi Warner, the mother of the victim’s half-sister, alleged to the New York Post that Binkley began grooming the teen after they met at school.
“She’s had a troubled history with her mother and this groomer took advantage of a girl looking for a parental figure,” Warner said.
Court records show Binkley has pleaded not guilty to the charge. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 30, according to court records.
The Springfield Police Department and Springfield City Schools could not immediately be reached by News Outlet for comment.
