Chief confronts protesters

PORT CLINTON — A community that was once united in its search for missing 14-year-old Harley Dilly, now stands divided by lingering questions surrounding his death.After being missing for almost four weeks, police found Dilly's body in the chimney of a vacant house on Fulton Street less than a block from his home.Port Clinton police believe he got stuck when he tried to climb through the 9-by-13-inch chimney to get into the house. The coroner ruled he died of compressive asphyxia meaning his lungs didn't have enough room to expand to fill with air.Many people accept the police investigation's conclusion, while others believe too many questions remain unanswered. On Sunday, roughly a dozen people gathered outside the vacant house with signs demanding answers and justice for Dilly."We just feel this boy was let down in life, and we need to be his voice now," Melinda Lannon said. "I don't believe what we're being told."The demonstrators had cardboard cutouts the size of the chimney to show how hard it would be for Dilly to fit through it. They also took issue with how the investigation was handled by Port Clinton police Chief Rob Hickman.They claimed he made up his mind that nothing criminal took place too early into the search for Dilly. They also questioned how long it took police to search a vacant home near where Dilly was last seen.Hickman showed up and called in the license plate numbers of the cars at the rally. An attendee accused Hickman of trying to intimidate them for being critical of the investigation. Hickman, however, said he did so because the vehicles were parked along the road.Many of the people came to show support for Dilly peacefully, but others clashed with those who believe the display was disrespectful to the family."If you're not from here and don't know what you're talking about, you should leave," said John St. Clair in reference to how some of the attendees were from out of town. "Let the family grieve."St. Clair stood across the street with a sign opposing the rally and mocking attendees. Some attendees engaged in arguments with Port Clinton residents by shouting across the street.The Register received a screenshot of a video posted on Facebook, which appears to show Hickman and a Port Clinton police officer confronting a woman at the rally. Hickman confirmed two people were arrested for trespassing on the property where Dilly's body was found.*Editor's note: This article has been updated from its original version to include information provided by police Chief Rob Hickman.Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterPeople seeking more answers from law enforcement on the death of 14-year-old Harley Dilly stand in front of the Fulton Street home Sunday where Dilly's body was found.People seeking answers from law enforcement on the death of 14-year-old Harley Dilly hosted a rally on the Fulton Street Sunday. The house where Dilly's body was found can be seen behind two demonstrators.Police Chief Rob Hickman radios in the license plate number of a vehicle parked near where protestors held a rally Sunday in front of the Fulton Street house where missing teen Harley Dilly was found dead. A screenshot of a Facebook video that appears to show Port Clinton police Chief Rob Hickman and an officer confronting a woman at a rally questioning the police's investigation into the disappearance of Harley Dilly, 14, who was found dead in a Fulton Street house's chimney. Police concluded the death was accidental.