WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WDNews) — A large-scale search remains underway for a missing Walker County child as law enforcement continues to ask for the public’s help.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, 5-year-old Johnathan Everett Boley was reported missing on Dec. 31 and is believed to be in danger. An emergency missing child alert remains active.
Authorities say the child was last seen around 11:30 a.m. near the 7000 block of Highway 195 in the Jasper area. Johnathan is described as having blond hair and blue eyes and weighing about 50 pounds. He was last seen wearing a yellow Mickey Mouse shirt, black pants, and Paw Patrol shoes.
Investigators say the child may have been accompanied by a black Labrador retriever, which is also missing.
Search efforts have included deputies with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, state troopers, K-9 units, helicopters, drones, and thermal imaging equipment. Crews have searched wooded areas, ponds, and nearby properties across the area.
Officials say progress has been slow, noting that no heat signatures have been detected during aerial searches. Authorities believe the child may not be in open terrain or could be sheltered from detection.
Meanwhile, the child’s father was taken into custody after explosive materials were discovered at his residence. Law enforcement officials say those charges are separate from the missing child investigation, but safety concerns have limited access to parts of the property.
Investigators are asking residents in the area to review home security, doorbell, and game camera footage from Dec. 31 for any signs of the child or the dog.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Walker County Sheriff’s Office at 205-384-7218, or call 911 immediately.
This remains an active and developing investigation. Wiregrass Daily News will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
