No new leads in case of missing Port Clinton youth

UPDATE: Port Clinton Police released details on the disappearance of 14-year-old Harley Dilly during a Thursday afternoon news conference.

According Chief of Police Rob Hickman, authorities have no reason to believe that Dilly's disappearance is an abduction, but he added that they are working on few leads and are "at a standstill" at this point.

Search efforts continued Thursday afternoon, with 75 law enforcement officers from various agencies assisting, including helicopters from the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the U.S. Border Patrol.

Hickman confirmed Dilly has a sister who lives out of state, but she opened her house to a search from local authorities and no evidence was found that the Port Clinton youth had made his way there.

Hickman said school officials at Port Clinton described Dilly as a likable student with friends. He would not discuss whether Dilly has been bullied at school, as well as any mental or behavioral issues Dilly has been diagnosed with.

According to Hickman, his officers have been called out to Dilly's house before, but he would not discuss particulars in those instances. He did say the youth has left home before during arguments and not returned until the morning.

Hickman said anyone who sees Dilly should not try to approach him because the youth "does not warm up to people" easily. Instead, the public is asked to call authorities or 9-1-1.

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The reward for information leading to Harley Dilly's safe return was doubled to $4,000 Wednesday.

Bikers Against Abused And Neglected Children (B.A.A.N.C.) agreed to match the reward already being offered by the Port Clinton Police and Ottawa County Prosecutor.

Police announced earlier in the day that a surveillance camera captured an image they believe to be Harley between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20.

It was taken in the area between Harley’s residence on E. 5th Street and the Port Clinton High & Middle School Campus.

Harley was first reported missing shortly before midnight, December 21.