DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVF) — Joe Clyde Daniels disappeared 20 months ago, but the search will soon continue for the 5-year-old's remains.
NewsChannel 5 has learned that private investigator David Marshburn plans to pick back up the search, following up on new leads in the case. Marshburn, who is based in North Carolina, is known for his work on missing persons cases.
He's been in Tennessee before, but now he's planning a return, intent on helping solve the Joe Clyde case.
The young boy went missing on April 4, 2018. Since then, his father Joseph Daniels has been charged with homicide and his mother Krystal Daniels is facing an aggravated child neglect charge.
Last summer, Marshburn brought his cadaver-sniffing dogs and drones to search rugged territory in Dickson County not far from where Joe Clyde disappeared.
The private investigator plans to return with his dogs after gaining access to details from the investigative file.
Authorities said Joseph Daniels carried a cell phone the night his son disappeared, and pings from that phone are now in the evidence file, which Marshburn said gives him a new location to search.
Just like last summer, Marshburn has charted out locations which cover about ten acres where he believes Joe Clyde's body might be hidden. Marshburn said this time, he will no longer be dealing with the thick vegetation.
"My canvas is clean," Marshburn said over the phone. "My canvas is clear and I'll be able to see a whole lot better."
If Joe Clyde's body has been exposed to the elements for the past 20 months, Marshburn said he knows not much will be left, but he still has confidence.
"It will be there, but scattered," Marshburn said. "If there are human remains my dogs will hit on them, guaranteed."
During his upcoming trip to Dickson County, the private investigator is hoping to speak with Krystal Daniels. Marshburn believes she may know more about what happened to the little boy than what she's shared with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations.
As far as we know, authorities have not planned any further searches, but they continue to take and investigate any tips in connection with the case.
The parents are set to go to trial next August.
