Missing for 9 months! 17-year-old girl found at former teacher's house

The 17‑year‑old girl who has been missing for about nine months in Ohio, United States, was found alive at the home of her former science teacher Jobe Binkley. The family alleges that the girl was manipulated by her former teacher, while the 48‑year‑old Binkley was released on bail after being arrested.

Disappeared After Fleeing the Crisis Center

The 17‑year‑old girl went missing after leaving the crisis center she had stayed at in Columbus on December 2 last year. Her family suspects that her former teacher Jobe Binkley, whom she met at school about two years ago, may be linked to her disappearance.

Family members said they repeatedly informed the police that Binkley's address should be checked after the missing‑person report.

Family Repeatedly Showed the Same Address

Chelsi Warner, the mother of the girl's step‑sister, said the family told authorities that they suspected Binkley's house.

Warner claimed that, due to the problems he had with the girl's mother, he was looking for a parental figure and that Binkley benefited from the situation. The family also alleged that they had reported to the police photographs of the girl taken at Binkley's house with weapons.

However, the family argued that they were told there was insufficient evidence to advance the investigation.

Police Attempted to Enter the Home

It was reported that the former teacher denied police teams entry into her home twice during the search for the missing girl.

After months of search efforts, a special task force under the U.S. Marshals Service entered Binkley's house on August 21. The teams found the 17‑year‑old girl, missing for about nine months, inside the home on the right.

Former Teacher Arrested

After the girl was found, 48‑year‑old Binkley was taken into custody. Accused of interfering with custody rights, Binkley was later released on bail.

Binkley denied the charges and claimed he was innocent. Prosecutors also said that without the girl's cooperation it would not be possible to bring more serious charges against the former teacher.

The girl had previously gone to Binkley's side.

According to information relayed by the family, the 17‑year‑old girl had earlier left home and gone to Binkley's side. In a similar incident that occurred last November, it was found that the girl was with the former teacher a few days later.

The teaching background also came into focus.

After the incident, Binkley's past teaching career was also reexamined. Binkley, who worked as a science teacher in the Springfield City School District, was placed on administrative leave at the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015,In February 2015, it was reported that he was dismissed from his post for violating technology policies.was stated.

The family's other allegations about the former teacher continue to be the subject of investigation and legal proceedings.