Preliminary autopsy suggests hypothermia in Alabama boy’s death: reports

Authorities have reportedly identified a possible cause of death of a 4-year-old child. Alabama boy who was found dead days after being reported missing on New Year’s Eve.

A preliminary autopsy report indicates Johnathan Boley’s death is consistent with hypothermia, Walker County Coroner Joey Vick said this week, according to the WBRC, Fox affiliate And NBC affiliate WVTM.

Investigators noted that the child took off his shoes and said drowning was not suspected, WTVM reported.

The final autopsy report has not yet been released.

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Boley’s funeral is scheduled for Jan. 10, according to WBRC.

Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition This happens when the body is exposed to freezing temperatures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Johnathan Everett Boley was reported missing Dec. 30 after wandering away from a rural property along Highway 195 near Jasper, Alabama, while playing outside with his dog, Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said at a news conference.

After several days of searching involving hundreds of law enforcement officers, volunteers, K-9 teams, drones and aircraft, searchers found the child’s body on Jan. 2 about two miles from the home, officials said.

The dog was found alive nearby.

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“This is not the result anyone was hoping for,” Smith said at the time. “Our hearts go out to this family and everyone who worked tirelessly to bring this child home.”

Johnathan Boley and his siblings live with their mother in Florida and were visiting their father for the holidays as part of a custody agreement, authorities said.

Boley’s father, Jameson Kyle Boley, 40, of Jasper, Alabama, was charged with felony chemical endangerment of a child and unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device, according to Walker County District Court records obtained by Fox News Digital.

Law enforcement officials said the destructive device charge was not related to her son’s death.

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“At this time, there is no evidence indicating foul play in the child’s death, and these charges should not be confused with the search for Johnathan,” Smith said at a news conference.

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The Walker County Coroner’s Office and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Sarah Rumpf-Whitten of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.