Dornellas Denied Bond in Franklin County

The South Carolina man accused of kidnapping his 3-year-old son and then setting the truck they were on fire has been denied bond.

31-year-old Joshua Dornellas was denied bond earlier this week in Franklin County Superior Court.

Dornellas is facing 32 counts, about half of them felonies.

Meantime, Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland said the Sheriff’s office has set up a special account at Pinnacle Bank to help the family with Bennett’s medical expenses.

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.

The Sheriff said Dornellas poured an accelerant inside the cab of the truck, lit it, and jumped out the driver’s side window.

Cleveland said he believes Dornellas also poured 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 also set up a GoFundMe account where people can donate to help pay for Bennett’s care.