Posted on 01/14/2020 10:51:47 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Almost a month after Harley Dilly disappeared on his way to school, police believe the Port Clinton, Ohio, boy’s body has been found in a chimney.
“This is not the outcome anyone wanted, but … we have some closure for the family,” Port Clinton Police Chief Robert Hickman said Tuesday.
Harley, 14, was last seen on Dec. 20 in Port Clinton as he left for school between 6 and 7 a.m., police said.
At least 75 law enforcement agencies have scoured more than 150 acres with helicopters, trained dogs and search-and-rescue teams, Port Clinton police said.
During another sweep of the area Monday, authorities zeroed in on a vacant summer home that was undergoing renovation.
There were no signs of forced entry to the house, and there was a lockbox for keys, Hickman said.
Police went in and discovered a tragic scene.
“Harley’s coat, glasses were discovered on the second floor of the house next to a brick chimney,” Hickman said.
“We were then able to discover what we believe to be Harley, who was caught in the chimney.”
Since his disappearance, Hickman has posted daily updates in the search effort on the Department’s official Facebook page. Harley’s photo also became the page’s profile picture.
An autopsy was being performed Tuesday to confirm the body’s identity and the cause of death.
“This appears to be an accident,” the police chief said.
“It appears Harley climbed an antenna tower to the roof and entered a chimney. Once in the chimney, Harley’s jacket and glasses were pushed from the chimney, through a flue, and into the second floor of the house. The chimney was blocked between the second and first floor, which trapped Harley.”
It was not clear why the boy may have tried to enter the chimney.
I could never resist an abandoned building as a kid. RIP, Harley. :(
Hmm. Looking for something to get cash for? A stray tool?
For whatever reason, sad.
Was Harley a punk or a decent kid? Was robbery the motive or was it stupid teenage curiosity?
OHIO PING!
Please let me know if you want on or off the Ohio Ping list.
“14-Year-Old Who Vanished on His Way to School Found Dead in a Chimney, Police Believe (Ohio)
NTD News ^ | January 14, 2020 | Staff”
caught in the chimney.
“This appears to be an accident,” the police chief said.
Hate when that happens.
Pictures of him seem to be your average, still-growing-into-his-feet, white teen boy. :(
I’m not buying this. This does not pass the smell test.................
It was December 20th. and he was trying to play Santa Claus.
as Christmas approaches some people get the idea that they can gain entrance to a home or business by going down the chimney. Here in MN several years ago the cops heard someone yelling for help. After an extensive search, they found a burglar stuck in a chimney that led to a furnace and not a fireplace.
I’m guessing that some people figure if Santa can get into a house via the chimney, so can they.
Looking for adventure?
But my own past experience thought that usually such stunts were not sought by lone individuals, but at least in units of two or more kids playing around and often tragedies resulting from carrying out a dare.
Dec. 20th? Checking how Santa navigates a chimney? How mature was he? Did he still believe? Why in sam hill would he get himself into a chimney on the way to school?
Chances are this is a puberty age dalliance that turned bad and Harley would become a decent adult.
Sounds like a failed attempt at burglary.
Jeeez! I wonder how many days it took him to die, waiting, hoping, someone would find him....
Santa Claus...book him Dano, murder 1.
About 3 weeks w/o food or water
I was 10 or 12, living in an apartment complex in Memphis, in the 50s.
This tree, on the lot of a medical fraternity house on Lamar, was about 50-60' high, and I climbed it because I could. Who doesn't want to climb high into a tree?
As I grasped the topmost part of the tree, Mrs. Butler, who lived a few doors down from my mom and brother and me, stepped out onto her stoop and was sweeping it off.
I yelled out, "HEY, MRS. BUTLER!!"
She didn't know where that yell came from, wondering as she looked around.
I yelled again, and then she spotted me.
So then she yelled, 'GET DOWN OUT OF THAT TREE RIGHT NOW, BEFORE YOU FALL, OR I'M GOING TO TELL YOUR MOTHER!"
As I said, I only climbed up there because it was there, and I could. What kid doesn't want to climb a tree?
Too bad for the youngster.
Teenage boys frequently do stupid and goofy things without thinking through possible consequences. RIP, kid.
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