Camp communities mourn with employee whose son, 4, was found dead in Alabama
[Episcopal News Service] Episcopal camp communities in the dioceses of Alabama and Southwest Florida have begun this year in mourning as they offer support to an Episcopal camp employee whose 4-year-old son disappeared last week and later was found dead.
The boy, Johnathan Everet Boley, was last seen alive walking into some woods with his dog Dec. 31 in Jasper, Alabama, about 40 miles northwest of Birmingham. Authorities launched a search of the area and found his body on Jan. 2, with the dog still alive.
Johnathan had been staying at his father Jasper’s home. After the boy went missing, the father, Jameson Boley, was arrested on charges unrelated to the boy’s disappearance and death.
Johnathan’s mother, Angel Boley, works as director of guest services at DaySpring Camp & Conference Center in Parrish, Florida. She previously worked at Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, Alabama.
During the search, DaySpring called for prayers as it provided updates on its Facebook page. Camp McDowell also posted updates.
On Jan. 2, DaySpring Executive Director Brad Thompson announced Jonathan’s body had been found, and Thompson called on the camp community to support the Boleys as they confront tragedy.
“Dancing in the hallway as our guests entered DaySpring these last 12 months has been Johnathan Boley,” Thompson said. “The entire DaySpring staff is heartbroken at the loss of this amazing little boy and wonderful blessing to our community.”
The camp and conference center invited donations through its website to support Angel Boley through this time of loss.
“DaySpring is and will remain always a place to feel cherished. We lost someone we cherish today. Thank you for being there for the Boleys.”
The circumstances of Johnathan’s initial disappearance remain unclear, though Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith told local reporters that the 4-year-old “was an adventurous boy and loved the outdoors.”
“Like so many of you across our community, we’re devastate by this news,” Smith said.
