A 17-year-old boy reported to be missing is possibly headed to north central Kentucky to be with friends.

According to information the Clark County Sheriff’s Office released late Thursday afternoon, Jacob Haney, of New Carlisle, was last seen playing basketball Tuesday evening in the area of Smith Park.

He did not return home and his family could not find him the next morning.

They tried unsuccessfully to reach him through his cell phone, which had been turned off, according to the sheriff’s office.

Haney had been despondent over a recent break up with his girlfriend, the sheriff’s office said, and investigators were able to find out from the boy’s service carrier that his phone was last used at about 10:27 p.m. Tuesday to send a text message.

The phone has not been used since, sheriff’s investigators said.

Smith Park and the areas surrounding it were searched Tuesday and again Thursday afternoon by members of the sheriff’s criminal investigations division and members of Haney’s family.

Sheriff’s investigators said Haney could possibly be headed to the Montgomery County, Ky., city of Mount Sterling, where he has friends.

Anyone who sees Haney is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (937) 328-2560.