A 17-year-old Ohio girl who had been missing for 263 days was found at the home of her former teacher, Jobe Binkley, who had previously been fired over allegations of improper behaviour with students.
The girl, who was 16 when she disappeared on December 2, 2025, was reported missing after running away from Huckleberry House, a youth crisis shelter and social services organisation in Columbus.
She was found on August 21 at Binkley’s home. Binkley, 48, is a former science teacher with the Springfield City School District.
Chelsi Warner, the mother of the girl’s half-sister, alleged that Binkley groomed the teenager after meeting her at school about 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 told The New York Post.
“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,” she added.
The teenager had reportedly run away previously. Binkley was later arrested on a first-degree misdemeanor charge of interference with custody. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bond.
According to a probable-cause affidavit cited by People, a US Marshals Service officer went to Binkley’s home on August 21.
Binkley initially acknowledged that the teenager was inside the house and told her to come out.
