An ex-Ohio teacher is facing criminal charges after investigators said he knowingly gave a missing underage girl a place to stay, despite allegedly knowing she had been reported missing.
Jobe Binkley, 48, of Springfield, Ohio, was charged with interference with custody, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by News Media. The first-degree misdemeanor carries a possible sentence of up to six months behind bars and a $1,000 fine.
The teen had been missing for 263 days after leaving a Columbus youth shelter on Dec. 2, 2025, according to reports from WSYX and The New York Post.
Both outlets identified Binkley as the girl’s former high school science teacher.
Authorities alleged in the complaint that Binkley knowingly permitted the minor to remain at his house while aware she was an active missing juvenile. (Getty Images)
The complaint alleges that Binkley “did knowingly allow the child victim to stay in his home while having knowledge of the victim being an active missing juvenile.”
A probable cause affidavit says an officer assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service went to Binkley’s Springfield residence on Aug. 21 after investigators determined it was the missing teen’s last known location.
Binkley reportedly told the officer that the girl was in the home, then called for her to come outside. She then exited the residence, the affidavit states.
“He spoke with the resident owner, Jobe Binkley, who stated the juvenile was inside. He called for the juvenile, and they exited the home,” the affidavit says.
Investigators further alleged that officers had previously visited Binkley’s home twice during their search for the missing Ohio girl.
During those visits, Binkley allegedly refused to let officers inside and told them the juvenile was not there.
“Officers had been to Mr. Binkley’s house on two previous occasions where the juvenile was entered missing,” the affidavit states.
“At those times he refused officers to enter his home and stated that the missing person was not inside. Officers noted that Jobe was made aware the individual was in fact an active missing person.”
According to The New York Post, Binkley was placed on administrative leave from Springfield City Schools in November 2024 and again in January 2025 before he was fired the following month.
The Clark County Municipal Court in Springfield, Ohio, where Jobe Binkley is expected to appear for a pretrial hearing Sept. 30. (Google Maps)
Chelsi Warner, the mother of the victim’s half-sister, alleged to the New York Post that Binkley began grooming the teen after they met at school.
“She’s had a troubled history with her mother and this groomer took advantage of a girl looking for a parental figure,” Warner said.
Court records show Binkley has pleaded not guilty to the charge. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 30, according to court records.
The Springfield Police Department and Springfield City Schools could not immediately be reached by News Media for comment.