On the morning of April 4, 2018, a 911 call from father Joseph Daniels reported his 5-year-old son, Joe Clyde Daniels, missing from the family home on Garners Creek Road in rural Dickson, Tennessee. Joe Clyde, known to his family as Baby Joe, was described as blond-haired and blue-eyed, autistic and non-verbal. He was reportedly last seen possibly wearing black pajamas with a skeleton design. A large search involving law enforcement and volunteers combed the area, including nearby Hickman County where search dogs led officers, but no trace of the boy was found.

Days after the search began the investigation shifted to homicide. Prosecutors charged Joseph Daniels with criminal homicide after he confessed to beating his son; he later recanted that confession. The boy’s mother, Krystal Daniels, was charged with aggravated child neglect, accused of being aware of abuse and failing to report it. Despite no body ever being recovered, prosecutors pursued the case; Krystal Daniels entered a no-contest plea to four charges and was sentenced to 15 years, and Joseph Daniels was later convicted of multiple counts including murder and aggravated child abuse and received a life sentence. The child’s remains have never been located, a fact that has left the family and community without closure.

Does anyone in the Dickson area have information about where Joe Clyde might have been taken or seen after April 4, 2018?