PORT CLINTON, Ohio — The community came together Sunday evening to pray for 14-year-old Harley Dilly’s safe return.
He was last seen Friday, Dec. 20, and the search for him has gone national.
“Harley, if you’re out there and you’re hearing this or seeing this we all want you home,” pleaded the boy’s grandfather, Robert Styndl.
“Your mom is in the deepest depression you’ve ever seen, she needs you to lay on her and hug her like you used to, we miss you son, come home please.”
Dozens lit candles, wore pink (which is Dilly’s favorite color,) prayed and sang during a vigil at Lakeview Park.
Laurie Basden says she’s known the teenager’s mother for nearly nine years and was one of the many people who organized the gathering.
“He needs to know that this community and outlying areas care about him and his family and we want him home,” she says.
Port Clinton Police Chief, Rob Hickman, has said he’s operating as if Dilly is a runaway.
Currently, the reward for Dilly’s safe return is at $7,000 which the chief says is expected to increase with continued donations from the community.