After spending 134 days in an Augusta burn center, Bennett Dornellas returned home last week.
The 3-year-old South Carolina boy suffered third-degree burns over 90% of his body on May 8. On that day, authorities say his father kidnapped him from his home in Belton and then lit a fire in the truck while they were being pursued on Interstate 85.
Troopers say Joshua Dornellas jumped out of the truck before it crashed near Lavonia. Law enforcement officers saved the young boy from the burning wreckage and arrested his father.
Troopers from Georgia State Patrol Post 52 in Hartwell were among the officers on the scene in May. They were in Augusta on Sept. 16 for Bennett’s big sendoff. The troopers delivered a care package to him at the JMS Burn Center at Doctors Hospital.
“Bennett was released to return home this morning, and this care package was just the start of his great day!” said Post 52 SGT J.R. Dean.
Bennett’s long road to recovery
Soon after Bennett’s rescue, his uncle, Jeremy Darnell, expressed his family’s gratitude on GoFundMe.
“Our family wants to take this moment to recognize the officers, paramedics, and first responders involved in saving Bennett’s life. Specifically, to the officers who risked their lives to pull Bennett from the burning vehicle—you personify the greatness of what the human spirit is capable of. We will never be able to repay your bravery.”
While Bennett is now home from the hospital, his family says he still requires 24/7 medical care. He must make the 180-mile roundtrip to Augusta weekly for surgeries, treatments, and dressing changes.
The online fundraiser is helping with those expenses. The family has raised $81,000 toward their $100,000 goal.
