– Young boy severely injured in fire started by father
– Child burned in truck fire caused by dad, escapes through window.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
BELTON, S.C. (WHNS/Gray 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. The young child’s father, Joshua Dornellas, stands accused of kidnapping him and leading law enforcement on a dangerous chase that ended in a fiery crash.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the situation after Dornellas reportedly violently assaulted the boy’s mother at their residence. Following the assault, he proceeded to abduct Bennett and flee the scene, prompting a rapid response from authorities.
Law enforcement officials discreetly tracked Dornellas as he drove with the child in his vehicle, exercising caution to prevent further harm to the vulnerable boy or other motorists on the road. Despite the efforts to keep a low profile, the situation escalated as Dornellas crossed state lines into Georgia on I-85, prompting Georgia State Patrol troopers to join the pursuit.
Reports indicate that Dornellas deliberately ignited a fire within the vehicle during the chase, endangering both himself and his young son. In a shocking turn of events, he exited the moving truck at 55 miles per hour, leaving Bennett trapped inside as the vehicle careened off the road and burst into flames.
Responding swiftly to the scene, a collaborative effort involving Georgia troopers, Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance Division officers, and South Carolina deputies was instrumental in extinguishing the blaze and rescuing the injured child from the wreckage. Bennett sustained severe burns and was swiftly airlifted to the Augusta Burn Center for urgent medical treatment.
In the aftermath of the incident, Dornellas was apprehended by the Georgia State Patrol and subsequently transported to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. Facing a litany of charges spanning both South Carolina and Georgia jurisdictions, Dornellas’ actions have left a community reeling and a family shattered.
Revealing a troubling history of violence, authorities disclosed that Dornellas had previously abandoned five children, all under the age of 11, without supervision in a separate incident. Moreover, he was charged with domestic violence just days before the abduction, leading the mother of his children to seek legal protection against him.
Expressing solidarity with the child’s mother during this traumatic period, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office issued a heartfelt plea for continued support and prayers for Bennett’s recovery. The road ahead is arduous for the young boy, and every gesture of kindness and compassion is invaluable.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist Bennett’s family in covering the extensive medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and ongoing care needed as he fights to overcome his injuries. The fundraiser underscores the resilience of Bennett’s mother, Chelsea, who now faces the daunting prospect of navigating this traumatic ordeal as a single parent of three.
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boy burned father set truck fire jumped window chase officials say.
