Hundreds of volunteers searched for miles for 5-year-old Joe Clyde Daniels in Dickson after his family said the autistic boy was missing and had possibly walked away from their home. Later, authorities confirmed they arrested Joe's father, Joseph Daniels, and charged him with homicide.
April 3: Joe Clyde last seen
- This was reportedly the last time Joseph Daniels said he saw his son when he put him to bed at their home on Garners Creek Road.
April 4: TBI issues Endangered Child Alert
- Daniels called 911 saying his son was missing, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an Endangered Child Alert for the 5-year-old.
- Search crews headed out in hopes of finding the child.
April 5: Search Begins
- Search crews, including authorities and hundreds of volunteers, spent hours searching multiple locations for the child.
- Authorities confirmed numerous tips came in concerning possible evidence or sightings of the boy who's non-verbal and has an autism spectrum disorder.
- The father spoke to NewsChannel 5's Nick Beres and told him they were heartbroken. He added they had given the child's scent to the K-9 units from the child's clothing and pillow. The father also said authorities told them not to join the search because their scents could distract the K-9 units.
- A footprint was reportedly found that authorities hoped belonged to the 5-year-old.
- K-9's picked up his scent leading into a pond near his home. The pond was drained, but nothing was found. The scent abruptly dropped off.
- Nearby residents with cameras and hunters with cameras in the woods were asked to search their footage for clues.
April 6: Search continues
- The search continued for a third day in Dickson. Additional volunteers were requested, and support was set up to help the volunteers, as far as food and warm clothing items.
April 7: Father arrested, charged with homicide
- TBI officials held a press conference Saturday morning where they confirmed the child's father had been taken into custody and charged with criminal homicide in the boy's disappearance.
- The search for Joe Clyde Daniels' body began.
- Joseph Ray Daniels, age 28, was being held in the Dickson County Jail on a $1 million bond.
- Officials with the Department of Children's Services confirmed they were investigating the family, along with authorities, and added the 5-year-old's two brothers (ages 3 and 8) had been placed with relatives.
- Multiple vigils were planned and held in memory of the 5-year-old.
April 8: Grandmother says they believe he's still alive
- The search continued for the 5-year-old's remains.
- Multiple vigils were held for Joe Clyde Daniels with hundreds of people showing up to honor and remember him.
- The child's grandmother (and stepmother of his accused killer) spoke to NewsChannel 5.
April 10: Mother arrested and charged with aggravated child neglect or endangerment.
- While detectives worked to get the parents' stories straight, the search for Joe Clyde expanded to Hickman County.
- Joseph Ray also told detectives he couldn't remember where he hid the body.
April 13: Mother and father make first court appearance
- Joseph Ray and Krystal Daniels were greeted by angry protesters as they entered the courtroom.
June 4: Case bound over to Grand Jury
- Joseph and Krystal Daniels appeared in court, in which the case was bound to the Grand Jury.
June 8: Both parents indicted
August 20: Father moved from prison to mental health facility
- Joseph Ray Daniels was moved from prison for professionals to determine his mental competency.
- In June, his IQ was tested. He was said to have scored at a near-genius level on an IQ test.
October 7: Search hits 6-month anniversary
October 18: Father writes letter, claiming Joe Clyde is still alive
- Joe Clyde's grandparents received what they thought was an anonymous letter from someone saying the boy was staying with other family members.
- Joseph Ray Daniels' attorney said he admitted to writing the letter and sending it to his parents.
