A day after 14-year-old Johnathan Minard was found dead on a farm in Washington Township, his family and the people of Carroll county are hoping to get answers into who was responsible for his death soon.
Carroll County Sheriff Dale Williams says Minard's corpse was located in a shallow grave in Washington Township around 10:15 a.m. Authorities had already confirmed the search for Minard, who was last seen on Apr. 13, was now being treated as a criminal investigation. Minard was apparently at a farm on Saturday to help with milking and had intended to call his mom to come pick him up. However, his mom says she never received that phone call.
"14 year old kid. He had no right to get what he got,” said J.P Fowler, who is friends with Minard’s parents and used to babysit the teen.
The community of his hometown Dellroy and beyond is in shock something like this could happen in their town. But, they’re more confused on how it could happen to someone so innocent.
Fowler says the teen was an outgoing kid, who was raised right. As he mourns his death, he reflects on when they used to go swimming.
"I can just remember days of endless fun,” he said. "He was comical. He would always do skits and stuff. He was just being a crazy kid."
Fowler’s brother, Braxton, went to school with Minard. He’s taking it hard because how good of a person he was.
"He loved to help people,” Braxton said.
Their dad, James Fowler, says he feels for his friends, Minard’s parents. He says it still doesn’t feel real.
"We are still having trouble wrapping our minds around it,” James Fowler said, who is friends with Minard’s parent’s.
While police say a "person of interest" has been questioned in the case, no arrests have been made at this time. Officials would not offer comment on if Jonathan's death is being considered a homicide or if there are currently any suspects.
“There has to be some type of justice,” said James Fowler.
It’s been a tough week for Carroll County, where hundreds of people helped search for Minard. Sheriff Williams thanked everyone in a Facebook post Saturday evening.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to Carroll County Sheriff's investigators at (330) 627-2141.
A GoFundMe campaign has also been set up for Jonathan's family.