Ohio teenager found after 263 days at former teacher's home

A 17-year-old girl who had been missing for 263 days was located at the home of a former teacher in Springfield, Ohio. The teenager had disappeared on December 2, 2025, after leaving a crisis shelter in Columbus.

Authorities, including a U.S. Marshals special task force, located the girl at the residence of Jobe Binkley, 48, on August 21. Binkley, a former science teacher for the Springfield City School District, has been arrested and charged with one count of interference with custody. He has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge.

Binkley’s employment history with the school district includes being placed on administrative leave in November 2024 and January 2025 due to concerns regarding professional interactions with students, and he was eventually fired in February for violating technology policies. During the investigation, Binkley had reportedly denied police entry to his home on two previous occasions, claiming the teenager was not present.

Family members have alleged that Binkley groomed the teenager, noting she had sought him out as a parental figure. Prosecutors indicated that while Binkley was released on bond, additional charges may depend on the cooperation of the teenager and the results of forensic examinations of mobile devices.