Bennett : “Boy, 3, Badly Burned in Truck Fire”

BELTON, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) – A harrowing incident unfolded in Belton, South Carolina, resulting in a 3-year-old boy being hospitalized with third-degree burns. The boy, identified as Bennett, is currently fighting for his life at a Georgia burn center, where he is receiving critical care for burns covering 90% of his body.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the situation when the boy’s father, 31-year-old Joshua Dornellas, allegedly carried out a violent assault on the boy’s mother before kidnapping Bennett and fleeing the scene.

Deputies from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office swiftly responded to the distress call, tracking the suspect without initiating blue lights to avoid endangering the child or other motorists on the road. Bennett was reportedly in the front seat of the vehicle as Dornellas made threats against his life.

The situation escalated as Dornellas crossed state lines into Georgia on I-85, prompting a chase by Georgia State Patrol troopers. During the pursuit, Dornellas deliberately set a fire inside the vehicle, leading to a chaotic and dangerous sequence of events.

As the truck filled with smoke, Dornellas made a reckless attempt to flee by jumping out of the moving vehicle, leaving his son trapped inside. The truck ultimately crashed into an embankment and became engulfed in flames, with Bennett still inside, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.

A collaborative effort involving Georgia troopers, Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance Division officers, and deputies from Anderson, Franklin, and Hart counties was crucial in extinguishing the flames and rescuing Bennett from the burning vehicle. Despite the heroic efforts, the young boy sustained severe burns and had to be airlifted to the Augusta Burn Center for urgent medical treatment.

Meanwhile, Dornellas was apprehended by the Georgia State Patrol and taken to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center for injuries sustained during the incident. He now faces a plethora of charges in both South Carolina and Georgia, reflecting the gravity of his actions.

According to authorities, Dornellas has a troubling history of violence, including a recent incident where he left five children, all under the age of 11, unsupervised at home. This pattern of dangerous behaviour culminated in his alleged assault on Bennett’s mother and subsequent kidnapping of the toddler.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office released a statement expressing solidarity with the child’s mother during this challenging time and urging the community to keep Bennett in their thoughts and prayers as he battles for survival.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support Bennett’s family, particularly his mother Chelsea, who is a single parent to three children. The funds raised will go towards covering medical expenses, rehabilitation, and providing essential support to the family during this traumatic ordeal.