An Ohio teenager who had been missing for 263 days was discovered alive at the residence of a former teacher accused of grooming her, according to the victim's family. The 17-year-old had run away from the Huckleberry House crisis shelter in Columbus on December 2, 2025.
Family members stated they repeatedly directed authorities to the home of Jobe Binkley, 48, a former science teacher in the Springfield City School District. Chelsi Warner, the mother of the victim's half-sister, told The Post that Binkley began grooming the teen approximately two years prior, when they met at school. The teen had reportedly run away to Binkley's house the previous year as well.
"She’s had a troubled history with her mother and this groomer took advantage of a girl looking for a parental figure," Warner said. "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."
Binkley was arrested and charged with one count of interference with custody, a first-degree misdemeanor. He was released on bond and has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors have stated that Binkley could not be charged with a more serious offense without the teen's cooperation.
During the investigation into the teen's disappearance, Binkley allegedly denied police entry to his home on two occasions. A US Marshals’ special taskforce eventually entered the home on August 21 and found the girl inside. The teen had been staying at the Columbus shelter when she ran away.
Warner expressed frustration, stating her family had repeatedly insisted the girl was at Binkley's home over the preceding nine months. She claimed to have provided the Springfield Police Department with photographs of the victim inside the house. "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," Warner said.
Binkley was placed on administrative leave in November 2024 following allegations of inappropriate behavior with students. These allegations were described as unsubstantiated by the school district at the time. He was put on leave again in January 2025 and subsequently terminated the following month for violating the district's policy on technology use. Warner accused the school district of attempting to evade responsibility and downplay issues with Binkley, despite what she described as video evidence from students of his alleged inappropriate behavior.
Springfield City Schools told ABC 6 that they were unaware of any allegations between the former science teacher and the runaway victim, while also noting that previous claims against Binkley were unsubstantiated. The Springfield Police Department could not be reached for immediate comment.