Who is James Yoblonski? Desperate family offers $10K reward for missing boy, 13, who went to live 'off grid'
REEDSBURG, WISCONSIN: The heart-wrenching disappearance of 13-year-old James Yoblonski has left his family in agony as they desperately search for any clues to his whereabouts. More than six weeks have passed since James vanished from his family's home, prompting his loved ones to take a drastic measure in the hope of securing his safe return – offering a staggering $10,000 reward for any information that could help in finding him.
Who is James Yoblonski?
James Yoblonski was last seen on June 11 at the family residence in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, according to his father, William Yoblonski. Speculating on his son's intentions, William revealed that he believes James took the family's Chrysler van with him, likely setting out on an off-grid adventure to Devil's Lake State Park. Adding to their concerns, James reportedly took his father's firearm and two survival guidebooks along for the journey, raising worries about his safety and well-being.
James Yoblonski remains missing out of Sauk County over a month later after vanishing into the woods believed to be trying to live off the grid. There is a $10,000 reward for information that leads to his return. pic.twitter.com/BWFBrJvjX4
— Waukesha Alerts (@WaukeshaAlerts) July 27, 2023
As the days turned into weeks without any sign of James, William Yoblonski made a heartrending appeal, stating that he is willing to mortgage their home to raise the reward money. The Yoblonski family is desperately seeking any information that can help bring James back home. "The $10,000 reward is only if he's found. In the last three weeks, we haven't gotten any tips or anything," said William Yoblonski in an emotional interview with WiscNews.
Search efforts unveil campsites
A subsequent search by law enforcement using police search dogs led to the discovery of two makeshift campsites near Baraboo and Devil's Lake State Park, both on opposite sides of Highway 12. James' abandoned family vehicle was found nearby, and his cell phone was located 200 yards west of the van. Based on the tracking data from the phone, investigators have theorized that James embarked on a survival mission, attempting to test his skills and endurance in the wilderness. However, despite extensive searches and efforts, no further signs of James have been found since the initial spotting of the campsites, per News 3.
William Yoblonski expressed concern that someone may have picked up his son after he left the campsites. "As much as they searched, they should have found some evidence of him being in there, and they found nothing," he lamented to WISC.
'We love you very much'
Devil's Lake State Park, a sprawling 360-acre area nestled beneath quartzite bluffs as tall as 500 feet, has hundreds of campsites, showers, restrooms, and outhouses to accommodate visitors. The park is also equipped with numerous drinking water taps placed throughout the area. Heartbroken and anxious for his son's safe return, William Yoblonski directly addressed James, saying, "Come out from wherever you're hiding. We want you home. We love you very much."
Two weeks after James was reported missing, William organized a public search and contacted a K-9 search team from Sun Prairie to assist in the efforts. However, he claimed that the Sauk County Sheriff's Office did not follow up with the team to search the area thoroughly. Drew Bulin, a detective sergeant with the Sheriff's Office, responded to these claims, stating that he had no knowledge of any outside dog search squad but confirmed the use of dogs from area law enforcement agencies. As of the last official statement issued by the Sheriff's Office on July 7, there have been no significant updates on the case.
"He's a smart kid. This is uncalled for, to do something like this and not talk to anybody about it. I bought some off-grid books and come to find out he's got one of those with him too," William shared with WKOW TV.
Ongoing efforts
The Sauk County Sheriff's Office continues to lead the search, stating, "The vehicle was located at approximately 8.46 am on Monday, June 12, by a Sauk County Deputy. A ping of James' cellular phone, conducted by the Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Division of Criminal Investigation, led to the location currently being searched by Law Enforcement, near USH 12 and Sauk Hill. Deputies located a makeshift campsite where property belonging to James was located. Law Enforcement is continuing to search the area and have asked for additional law enforcement agencies to assist."
If you or anyone you know has information related to this case, you are urged to get in touch with the Sauk County Sheriff's Office at 608-355-4495, or Sauk County Crime Stoppers @ 1-888-TIP-SAUK (1-888-847-7285).