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.
From my experience, 14 year old boys do things that make absolutely no sense and usually with no regard for their personal safety. “It seemed like a good idea at the time” :(
Or watched Marry Poppins far too many times!
What a way to go.
How Absolutely Horrific,,,
Exactly. The idea that his is just some curious kid who likes to climb things is preposterous.
Madison, WI had a body stuck in a chimney - and it was in there for decades. When they were doing some remodeling on the building, they found ‘him,’ but it was confusing because ‘he’ was wearing women’s clothing!
Only in Madison, LOL!
People who kill children.....my mind goes to that dark place where I think of what should be done to them.
Horrible incident
No matter what
“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.
More questions than answers. RIP, young fellow.
Even as young as 4-5-6-7 my older brother and I used to play around in places we were not supposed to. It was always at least the two of us, or more, but not alone as best as I can remember.
I’m not buying this. This does not pass the smell test.....
*********
I agree.
A truly horrifying way to die, especially for a kid.
I knew someone who died the same way. She was a stalker of an ex boyfriend. The body was found after a strong smell and with fluids seen dripping into the firebox.
Burglary or wanting to sniff or steal the underwear of the pretty teen girl next door he was infatuated with.
It’s inferable that no one reported seeing the boy on the roof or even at this site. No evidence of this is likely to emerge, but I have to wonder if someone or ones either put him up to this as a dare, or put him into the chimney as a mean prank.
Chimneys ought to have fixed spark arresters and/or caps that thieves and idiots can’t get into on an impulse (at least make them bring tools).
Sad. RIP.
This EXACT SAME THING happened to a 9th. grade classmate of mine.
He disappeared. Became one of those milk carton kids. They found his remains inside a chimney of an abandoned school a few years later. ID’d him from dental records and the Led Zeppelin belt buckle he always wore. Apparently he got drunk/high and tried to get into the building via the chimney on a dare or something.
The story got even more weird. They had him in the county morgue, but his mother refused to believe it was him. Said she had consulted a psychic who had told her that her son was alive and well, married, and living in Texas.
The morgue won’t keep remains forever, but could not convince her to claim them. Finally local minister took them and buried them in his church’s cemetery.
Sounds like a failed attempt at burglary.
I doubt it unless he’s got a history of that. Probably bored and looking for adventure. I climbed up to the roof of the family house and jumped off a few times at his age. Early teen boys do dumb stuff. Friend of mine died playing stupid games at that age, too.
I have an idea why he tried to get into the house.
A criminal is simply someone who is too stupid to figure out that a minimum job pays more than a life of crime.
There's no mention if anyone lived in the house. His cries for help could have been heard, I'm sure.
Some things don't add up here...but actually, the reporting was very sketchy. Must be more to come.
?? Well, maybe everyone ought to be locked up for their own safety.
Laws forbidding unauthorized entry to anyplace one has no right to be obviously don’t work.
Bet if I inspected your home....
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