Port Clinton residents optimistic, confident Harley Dilly will return home
PORT CLINTON, Ohio — The race against time continues and the cash reward is growing for anyone with information that could bring Harley Dilly home.
A candlelight vigil was held Sunday in Port Clinton where family, friends and neighbors pleaded for the 14-year-old’s safety.
“You don’t know how it’s tearing us up,” Harley’s grandfather said. “It can happen to anybody’s child.”
He struggled to find words through tears after his grandson’s disappearance 10 days ago.
“My grandson had issues and he wasn’t a perfect boy, but he was a good boy,” he added. “And he loved his mother and he loved his family.”
One Port Clinton pastor advised neighbors to ignore hearsay on social media.
“The goal that is before us and that is to bring Harley home,” Tony Calloway said. “Without question, without speculation, without rumors and gossip.”
As the search for Harley gains momentum and national attention, many questions remain unanswered.
“It’s been very difficult because nobody knows what happened,” Laurie Basden said. “There’s a lot of ‘What ifs? What happened? Was he abducted? Was he not?’ Let’s get out here and let’s find out what happened to him.”
Harley’s mother Heather Dilly, who has chosen not to give on-camera media interviews since her son’s disappearance,
published an emotional Facebook post.
More than a week after he disappeared, the community remains optimistic Harley is still alive.
“As we light these candles we hope that Harley sees us,” Anton Jackson said. “That he hears us and that he knows that he has a safe place to return to.”
There is a $7,000 reward for information leading to Harley’s return home.
If you have any information, please contact the Port Clinton Police Department at 419-734-3121.
