Terrifying abduction leads to unthinkable tragedy for young Boy

A three-year-old boy has returned home after his father allegedly kidnapped him and set fire to a vehicle with the child inside.

Bennett Dornellas was released from a burn center in Augusta, Georgia, four months after suffering third-degree burns on 90% of his body. The incident occurred in May when his father, Joshua Bennett Dornellas, 32, allegedly abducted the child and led law enforcement on a high-speed chase across state lines.

The Georgia State Patrol officials have reported that the pursuit commenced in Anderson County, South Carolina, following the alleged assault of Bennett and his mother by Dornellas at their residence. The suspect then fled with the boy in a truck, crossing into Georgia on Interstate 85.

Dornellas allegedly threatened to kill the child as the authorities closed in. The troopers were unsuccessful in their attempts to halt the vehicle using a box-in maneuver. The suspect intentionally set fire to his car while Bennett was still inside, which caused the situation to escalate, according to authorities.

Officials reported that Dornellas jumped from the driver's window while the vehicle was traveling at 55 mph. The burning truck crashed into an embankment near mile marker 166, fully engulfed in flames.

Deputies managed to rescue Bennett from the vehicle, but not before he sustained severe burns. The child was immediately hospitalized and placed on a ventilator. Over the following months, he underwent multiple surgeries to treat his extensive injuries.

Chelsea Oliver, Bennett's mother, shared her relief about her son returning home in a social media post: "Today was amazing! Lots of tears shed, happy tears. Thank you all. We are forever grateful for you all! We will miss all our amazing nurses and doctors, but we will be going back often for checkups and future surgeries."

Even though Bennett was seriously injured, he was seen smiling before he was discharged. Nonetheless, the boy's face still shows visible scarring and burns, suggesting a challenging path to full recovery.

The incident on May 8 followed a series of troubling events involving Dornellas. On April 21, he was arrested at the family's home in Belton for leaving Bennett and four other children, all under 11, alone at home. According to the Anderson County Sheriff's Office, one toddler was found wandering in the street.

A few days later, Dornellas faced accusations of domestic violence after attacking Bennett's mother, leading her to seek a protective order against him. These events ultimately led to the kidnapping and arson incident in May.

Dornellas is currently facing a multitude of charges, such as a criminal attempt to commit murder, kidnapping, aggravated battery, cruelty to children in the first degree, arson in the first degree, aggravated assault on a police officer, and endangering a child while driving under the influence. He also faces numerous motor vehicle and traffic offenses.

The suspect has been denied bond three times, most recently on September 9. If convicted, he could face more than 20 years in prison. A trial date has not yet been set.

While recovering at home, Bennett will need additional medical procedures at Augusta during follow-up appointments. The family has been overwhelmed with support, as an online fundraiser has raised more than $80,000 to help cover medical costs.