A South Carolina toddler was badly burned Wednesday after his father kidnapped him and set his truck on fire ending a chase with police.
3-year-old Bennett is receiving intensive care at a Georgia burn center after he suffered third-degree burns to 90% of his little body.
His tragic situation began Wednesday when his father, 31-year-old Joshua Dornellas, assaulted his mother and abducted him as he left the Belton house.
The suspect led officers on a chase, placing the toddler in the front seat of his vehicle and threatening his life.
“Our force was tracking the suspect without initiating blue lights as to not endanger the little boy or nearby drivers,” the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said.
Dornellas crossed to Georgia through I-85 with Georgia State Patrol taking over the chase.
At some point during the pursuit, Dornellas “intentionally” set a fire in his truck before jumping out of the window as the car traveled 55 miles per hour.
The child was left behind inside the burning truck that ended in an embankment. Police believe the father intended to kill Bennett.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene and rushed Bennett who was on the floorboard of the truck into the Augusta Burn Center with severe injuries.
Dornellas, who had a lengthy rap sheet, is facing a slew of charges in both South Carolina and Georgia.
