The body of a 14-year-old boy in Ohio who has been missing since 20 December was found trapped inside a chimney in a vacant house near his family's home.

Police discovered Harley Dilly's glasses and maroon jacket on the second floor of the house near a brick chimney. His body was found inside the chimney, which was no bigger than 9 inches by 13 inches between the roof and the second floor.

The chimney was blocked between the first and second floors, trapping Harley between the roof and the second floor.

His death appears to be an accident, according to police. No cause of death has been determined, and an autopsy is being performed by the Lucas County Coroner's Office.

The family was notified on Tuesday morning.

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Port Clinton Police Chief Robert J Hickman held back tears during a Tuesday press conference announcing the child's discovery.

"I promised I would not break down today", he said. "It's not the outcome we wanted. The family has closure."

The house was checked "multiple times" during canvassing in the search for the teenager but police did not go inside because there was no sign of forced entry, Chief Hickman said.

Windows were locked, the door was secured and there was an unopened lock-box on the rear door, according to police.

Chief Hickman said the owners of the house are remodelling the property and have used it only as a summer home.

Police believe Harley used an antenna tower to get to the roof, then he climbed into the chimney.

He was last seen at 6am on 20 December walking in an alley on his way to school in Port Clinton, roughly 80 miles from Cleveland.