Boy badly burned father set truck fire
Boy jumped out window chase officials say.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A harrowing incident unfolded in Belton, South Carolina, as a 3-year-old boy named Bennett was hospitalized with third degree burns covering 90% of his body after his father allegedly kidnapped him and led deputies on a high-speed chase that culminated in a fiery crash.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at a residence in Belton after Bennett’s father, 31-year-old Joshua Dornellas, reportedly assaulted the boy’s mother and abducted the child.
Authorities reveal that Bennett was in the front seat of the vehicle during the pursuit, with Dornellas making threats against the boy’s life. Deputies tracked the suspect without activating sirens to avoid endangering the child or other motorists.
As the chase crossed state lines into Georgia on I-85, Georgia State Patrol troopers took over the pursuit. Shockingly, Dornellas allegedly set fire to the truck intentionally, creating a life-threatening situation for Bennett.
In a terrifying turn of events, Dornellas jumped out of the moving vehicle through the window at 55 miles per hour, leaving his son trapped inside as the truck crashed into an embankment and burst into flames.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies rushed to the scene to extinguish the fire and rescue Bennett from the burning vehicle. The young boy sustained severe burns and was airlifted to a burn center in Georgia for critical care.
Dornellas was apprehended by authorities and taken to a medical facility for treatment of injuries he sustained during the incident. He now faces a multitude of charges in both South Carolina and Georgia for his alleged actions.
According to investigators, Dornellas has a troubling history of violence, including leaving five young children unsupervised at home and facing charges of domestic violence prior to the kidnapping incident.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement expressing support for Bennett’s mother and requesting community prayers for the young boy as he battles for recovery in the trauma center.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Bennett’s family to assist with medical expenses, rehabilitation, and support for the 3-year-old and his mother, Chelsea, who is a single parent caring for three children.
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boy badly burned father set truck fire jumped window chase officials say.
