> At a Glance
> – A 60-year-old Florida man was arrested on Dec. 31 after deputies found a missing 11-year-old boy in his truck
> – The child told detectives he was choked unconscious, tied up, and held captive for days
> – A 15-year-old passenger allegedly sped off in the truck, crashing after a pursuit
> – Why it matters: It spotlights how quickly an abduction can unfold and how alert citizens and fast-acting law enforcement can save lives
A routine traffic stop on New Year’s Eve turned into a dramatic rescue when Flagler County deputies discovered a kidnapped 11-year-old boy inside Darnell Hairston’s pickup and heard one of the children plead, “We’ve been kidnapped… we’re not safe.”
The Discovery
Moments after separating Hairston and the two juveniles, a deputy learned the younger child had been reported missing from St. Johns County three days earlier. The boy appeared traumatized and told investigators Hairston lured him to a campsite, choked him until he blacked out, then bound him with shoelaces and an extension cord.
Additional allegations from the child’s interview:
- Threatened with a knife and firearm
- Mouth duct-taped
- Hidden on the truck’s floorboard beneath a blanket for travel
- Held captive for multiple days
The Arrest & Chase
When deputies asked Hairston to exit the truck, body-camera video shows the 60-year-old sprint away, only to trip over his own feet and be tackled. While officers handcuffed him, the 15-year-old passenger slid into the driver’s seat and sped off.
The teen later crashed into a wooded area after allegedly trying to ram a patrol car. Two deputies sustained minor injuries; the 15-year-old was unhurt and now faces charges including aggravated battery on law enforcement and aggravated fleeing.
| Individual | Key Charges | Bond / Status |
|---|---|---|
| Darnell Hairston, 60 | Kidnapping, aggravated child abuse, robbery with firearm, strangulation, resisting with violence, plus one misdemeanor | $425,000 total bond, held in Flagler County jail |
| 15-year-old male | Aggravated fleeing & eluding, aggravated battery on LEO, reckless driving, no license, resisting | Turned over to Dept. of Juvenile Justice |
Key Takeaways
- A tip that a “known sex offender” was driving with two boys led to the traffic stop
- The 11-year-old’s quick statement to a deputy triggered the rescue
- Hairston faces six felonies; court date not yet set
- Authorities encourage anyone suspecting child abuse to call the Childhelp Hotline: 1-800-4-A-Child
The child is now safe, and deputies credit watchful citizens and rapid coordination across counties for the New Year’s Eve rescue.
