Missing Teenage Boy In Ohio Becomes Criminal Investigation, Sheriff Has Person Of Interest

Police in Ohio have made the search for a missing teenage boy a criminal investigation Wednesday and have identified a person of interest.

Jonathon E. Minard, 14, was last seen Saturday night while helping out on a friend's dairy farm in New Harrisburg. The farm, which is about eight miles from the boy's home in Dellroy, belongs to the family of Minard’s 29-year-old friend.

Minard had been working on the farm Friday and spent the night with his friend before heading back for more work Saturday. Minard later complained about a toothache and tried to call his mother to pick him up.

Sheriff Dale Williams told press that Minard’s mother never received a call from him. A missing person’s report was filed not long after this.

"We do have a person of interest," Williams said, according to the Canton Repository. "There have been no arrests."

The person of interest reportedly has a criminal record with several drug-related offenses. The police have not taken him into custody.

Minard does not have a history of disappearing and also does not own a cellphone.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office has remained active on Facebook but has not reported any new information. They have asked for volunteers to join searches, setting up times and locations for anyone wishing to help.

Minard’s family has also been making pleas for additional help.

"If you seriously know where he's at and what has happened to him, please tell us. I mean, we're begging you. I mean, this is our last hope," Jo Hepner, Minard’s aunt, told WKYC, an NBC affiliate in Cleveland.