ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities in Rowan County are asking for the public’s help in locating a 13-year-old boy who has been missing for weeks after leaving his home shortly after Christmas.
According to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a residence on Sylvan Road on December 29 after family members reported that Johnathan Morales, 13, had not returned home.
Investigators learned that Morales was last seen on December 26, when he left the home and never came back. At this time, officials say he is being classified as a runaway, though concerns continue to grow as the days pass with no confirmed sightings.
Possible Sighting in Gastonia Raises More Questions
Early in the investigation, deputies received information indicating that Johnathan had contacted a friend and claimed he was in the Gastonia area. However, investigators say the teen did not disclose his exact location or who he may have been with.
Authorities also reported that they were unable to identify any known associates or contacts in Gastonia that Johnathan may have been connected to.
State and Federal Agencies Now Involved
Due to the length of time Johnathan has been missing and the limited information available, both the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the FBI have joined the case to assist local deputies.
