Dornellas to Make Another Court Appearance Next Week

The South Carolina man accused of kidnapping his 3-year-old son and then setting the truck they were in on fire will be in Franklin County Superior Court next week for his first court appearance.

31-year-old Joshua Dornellas is expected in court Friday, May 31 for a bond hearing.

In Georgia, Dornellas is charged with 32 counts, many of them felonies, along with multiple traffic violations.

 

 

The felony counts include:

1. Aggravated assault
2. Kidnapping
3. Three counts of fleeing
4. Cruelty to a child
5. Arson 1st degree
6. Aggravated assault on law enforcement officer
7. DUI
8. Failure to yield right of way to emergency vehicle
9. Serious injury by vehicle
10. Three counts of felony conspiracy to commit a felony
11. Two counts of felony aggravated battery
12. Battery/family violence
13. Felony battery

On Wednesday, May 8, Dornellas allegedly assaulted the boy’s mother at her home in Belton, SC then fled with his 3-year-old son into Georgia.

With multiple law enforcement agencies from two states in pursuit, Dornellas threatened to harm the boy.

Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland said Dornellas allegedly poured an accelerant inside the cab of the truck, lit it, and then jumped out the driver’s side window with his son still inside.

Cleveland said he believes Dornellas also poured that accelerant on his son.

With 3rd degree burns over 90% of his body, little Bennet Dornellas continues to fight for his life at the Augusta Burn Center and remains in critical but stable condition.

The family has set up a GoFundMe account where people may donate to help pay for Bennett’s care.

The Hart County Sheriff’s office has also set up a fund for Bennett at Pinnacle Bank branches.

Dornellas also faces multiple charges in South Carolina where Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride said he has a long criminal history.