Bennett : “Boy, 3, badly burned in truck fire”

BELTON, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) – In a shocking incident in Belton, South Carolina, a 3-year-old boy named Bennett was hospitalized with third degree burns after his father allegedly kidnapped him and led deputies on a chase that ended in a fiery crash.

Bennett, who is currently receiving critical care at a Georgia burn center, suffered third degree burns covering 90% of his body. A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family to support them during this difficult time.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at a home in Belton after Bennett’s father, 31-year-old Joshua Dornellas, allegedly assaulted the boy’s mother. Subsequently, Dornellas kidnapped the 3-year-old and fled the scene, prompting a pursuit by deputies.

Deputies followed the suspect in an unmarked car, with Bennett in the front seat. Dornellas reportedly threatened the boy’s life during the pursuit. The sheriff’s office spokesperson stated that they refrained from using sirens to avoid endangering the child or other drivers.

The chase crossed state lines into Georgia on I-85, where Georgia State Patrol troopers joined in the pursuit. It was during this chase that the situation took a horrifying turn.

Dornellas allegedly set fire to the truck intentionally, filling it with smoke. He then jumped out through the window while the vehicle was still moving at 55 miles per hour, leaving Bennett behind. The truck crashed and burst into flames with the 3-year-old still inside, leading authorities to believe that Dornellas had planned to kill his own son.

The ensuing chaos prompted a multi-agency response, with Georgia troopers, Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance Division officers, and South Carolina deputies from Anderson, Franklin, and Hart counties rushing to the scene to extinguish the fire and rescue Bennett from the burning vehicle. The young boy sustained severe burns and was airlifted to the Augusta Burn Center for treatment.

Authorities took Dornellas into custody and transported him to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. He now faces a long list of charges in both South Carolina and Georgia for his alleged actions.

Deputies revealed that Dornellas has a history of violence, having previously left five children under the age of 11 unsupervised at home. In a separate incident, he was charged with domestic violence and had an order of protection filed against him by the mother of his children.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office expressed its support for Bennett’s mother and urged the community to keep the young boy in their thoughts and prayers as he battles for his life in the trauma center.

The family’s GoFundMe campaign aims to raise funds for Bennett’s medical expenses, rehabilitation, and overall support for him and his family as they navigate this challenging time.