A 3-year-old child is in critical condition at the Augusta Burn Center after a man allegedly kidnapped and tried to kill the child on Interstate 85 in South Carolina on Wednesday, according to a news release from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators in South Carolina said they were notified of the kidnapping and began following Joshua Bennet Dornellas, 32, of Anderson, South Carolina who was suspected of allegedly kidnapping the 3-year-old child on Wednesday. Dornellas was believed to be driving south on Interstate 85 in a Gold 2001 Ford F-150.
Hart County deputies tried to stop Dornellas, but the suspect took off and a chase ensued. Troopers took primary control of the chase on Interstate 85 southbound at mile marker 172.
As the chase approached mile marker 165, several troopers tried to do a Box-In maneuver but it was unsuccessful. As the interior began to fill with smoke from a fire that the suspect possibly set, the suspect exited the driver’s window while traveling at approximately 55 mph.
The vehicle continued south striking an embankment and becoming fully engulfed with the child inside. Troopers, MCCD officers, deputies from Franklin and Hart Counties, and deputies from South Carolina were able to extinguish the fire. Then they located the 3-year-old child in the floorboard of the driver’s side with severe burns.
The child, who is a South Carolina resident, was flown to the Augusta Burn Center in critical condition.
The driver was arrested and taken to the hospital with possible injuries. He is facing criminal charges, but the release of those charges is pending the release of additional information.
