Crime
Missing Ohio Teen Found at Former Science Teacher’s Home After 263 Days: ‘Absolutely Disgusting’
A months-long search for a missing Ohio teenager has ended with her being found safe.
The 17-year-old, who had been missing for 263 days, was discovered alive at the home of former Springfield City School District science teacher Jobe Binkley, the New York Post reported Sunday, September 13.
The teen had run away from the Huckleberry House crisis shelter in Columbus on December 2, 2025, and her family said they repeatedly told police they believed she was staying at Binkley’s home, per the report.
According to the documents seen by Globe, Binkley, 48, was arrested and charged with one count of interference with custody, a first-degree misdemeanor. He was later released on bond and pleaded not guilty.
Chelsi Warner, the mother of the teen’s half-sister, claimed Binkley took advantage of the girl after they met at school two years ago. “She’s had a troubled history with her mother and this groomer took advantage of a girl looking for a parental figure,” Warner said, the outlet reported.
“It’s absolutely disgusting … and she’s so groomed and brainwashed by that man that she doesn’t see what he’s done to her,” Warner added, per the New York Post.
According to court documents, Binkley had denied police entry to his home twice during the investigation. A task force led by the U.S. Marshals eventually entered the residence on August 21 and located the teenager inside.
“I’m very upset with this situation,” Warner said, per the outlet. “We had photos of her in the house holding guns, and we know about the allegations from other students against this man, but we were always told there’s not enough evidence yet.”
The outlet reported that Binkley had previously been placed on administrative leave following accusations of inappropriate behavior involving students, which the school district said were unsubstantiated. He was fired in February 2025 for violating the district’s technology-use policy.
Binkley is due back in court on September 30.
