Body Of Missing Ohio Teen Found In Chimney Of Unoccupied House

Officials in Ohio announced that they found the body of a 14-year-old boy who had been missing since December 20 in the chimney of a house that was undergoing renovations. Police said that Harley Dilly climbed onto the roof of the house, which was around the corner from his Port Clinton home, and tried to enter through the chimney.

The chimney was blocked between the first and second floors, and Harley became trapped inside. Search crews had previously checked the home but did not go inside because they found no evidence of forced entry. 

"The house was secured, there was no sign of forced entry, and it was actually double locked. So nothing led us to believe there was anybody in the house," Port Clinton Police Chief Robert Hickman said during a press conference.

After authorities were unable to locate Harley, they began recanvassing the neighborhood. This time, they entered the house and knew something was wrong when they found the boy's jacket and glasses on the second floor.

Officials believe Harley died from suffocation a few hours after he got stuck in the chimney. They are awaiting the results of the autopsy but said they had found no evidence of foul play. They do not know why Harley decided to climb in the chimney.

"This appears to be an accident," Hickman said. "This is not the outcome anyone wanted, but we have some closure for the family."

Photo: Port Clinton Police Department


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