‘Little warrior’: Kidnapping, burn victim recovering in Augusta

BELTON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The family of a young boy whose father set a truck on fire while the boy was still inside, is calling the 3-year-old a “little warrior.”

Bennett, 3, is currently at the Augusta burn center receiving care for third-degree burns that cover 90% of his body, according to a GoFundMe page set up on behalf of his family.

Bennett’s father, 31-year-old Joshua Dornellas, is accused of violently assaulting Bennett’s mother on May 8 before kidnapping the boy and then leading officials on a chase across state lines. Dornellas set a truck on fire with Bennett inside and then jumped through the window trying to evade officials, according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Dornellas was later arrested in Georgia.

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Bennett was pulled from the burning car with critical injuries.

“We are blown away by the financial , thoughts, and prayers we’ve received during this tumultuous time for our family,” the family said in a statement.

They said they’ll need to lean on God and the community.

“God continues to provide, and you, our community, have a generosity that knows no bounds,” they said.

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They thanked the officers, paramedics and first responders involved in saving Bennett’s life, especially 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,” the family said. “We will never be able to repay your bravery.”

Dornellas has a history of violence, according to deputies. They said on April 21 he left five children, all under age 11, unsupervised at home. A toddler was found outside alone.

He was charged with domestic violence on April 28 and the mother of his children took out an order of protection against him.

“As an agency, our hearts are with the child’s mother as she faces this unimaginable situation,” the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “We ask the community for their continued prayers for the 3-year-old boy as he fights inside the trauma center.”