WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) — Alabama authorities say the body of a missing 4-year-old has been found amid an extensive search.

Walker County officials said they began searching for Johnathan Everett Boley after he went missing on New Year’s Eve.

Friday, the Walker County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they found Johnathan’s body. He was located about two miles from the home. His dog, Buck, was found alive with him.

Authorities said the boy was believed to be in danger after he went missing while visiting his father.

Authorities said Johnathan was last seen alive in the 7000 block of Highway 195 north of Jasper near the Manchester community. He was wearing a yellow Mickey Mouse shirt, black pants and Paw Patrol shoes.

“The indications were that [Johnathan] and his brother were outside playing around the fence line with a dog,” Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said. “The brother said that the dog and his brother went across the fence line.”

Officials said Johnathan’s brother is 6.

Smith said search crews were using a thermal imaging drone until about 3 a.m. Thursday, but there were no heat signatures detected in the area.

Officials said several explosive devices were also found in the house during the search.

The boy’s father, Jameson Kyle Boley, has been charged with unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device.

“The father has been charged. It has nothing to do with the missing child; it’s something totally separate, but it is still a factor that is hindering our search,” Smith said.

Smith said that neighbors claim there have been a lot of explosions in the neighborhood.

“Prior to us being here, the morning before we got out here, there was a report at about 4 in the morning of a loud explosion,” Smith said.

Authorities said Johnathan’s parents are separated and that Johnathan and his mother moved to Florida about a year ago.

Johnathan’s father, who is a former service member, has a custody arrangement that allows him to see Johnathan five days a year.

In a news conference on Thursday, Smith said the mother had arrived from Florida and has been working with authorities.

“The mother did make it in last night from Florida. We have spoken to her, and she has cooperated with us to the best of her abilities,” Smith said.

Officials said the search extended into other areas, including dive teams searching nearby ponds.

Multiple agencies, including the FBI, joined the investigation.

Anyone with further information is asked to call the Walker County Sheriff’s Office at 205-384-7218.

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