ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. — A "dangerous" father is now in custody, and his 3-year-old son is fighting for his life after the man allegedly kidnapped his child Wednesday, led deputies on a chase into Georgia, and set the car on fire with his child still inside, according to Georgia State Patrol.
Anderson County Sheriff's Deputies said it started at a home on Harris Avenue in Anderson County, South Carolina. The father, whom GSP Troopers identified as 32-year-old Joshua Bennett Dornellas, allegedly violently assaulted the mother of their son.
He then allegedly kidnapped his son, which led to a chase down Interstate 85 across the Georgia state line around 1 p.m., where Georgia State Patrol became involved.
Family members who set up an online fundraising campaign identified the 3-year-old boy as Bennett.
GSP issued a news release on Thursday where it said that Hart County Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle when it first entered state lines. That's when a pursuit ensued, and GSP Troopers became the primary agency involved.
Troopers also tried a box-in maneuver to stop the man's car but were unsuccessful.
GSP also explained that Dornellas threatened to kill the child.
The Georgia agency stated that the suspect intentionally set his car on fire with the child still inside and jumped out of the driver's window while traveling 55 mph.
The car then crashed into an embankment fully engulfed in flames near mile marker 166, according to GSP.
"Following terrible and unfortunate events, Bennett has suffered 3rd-degree burns throughout 90% of his little body," the family said in an online fundraiser.
GSP Troopers and other law enforcement agencies were able to extinguish the fire and rescue the 3-year-old boy who had severe burns.
Troopers added the child was then airlifted to a nearby trauma center in "critical condition." The family stated in the GoFundMe fundraiser that Bennett is currently at a burn center in Augusta, Georgia.
Dornellas was taken to a hospital in Athens for his injuries. He is currently in custody in Georgia, where he is facing a "long list of charges." GSP will be investigating the incident.
The family has a goal of $10,000 for the online fundraiser. They are currently at $6,305.
